BOSTON – Maine is back in the Top-25 in the latest NFHCA national poll. The most recent of the Black Bears' six consecutive wins came in comeback fashion. After trailing UAlbany early, the team edged out a 2-1 win on the road courtesy of a 58th-minute goal to improve to 3-0 in league play.
Vermont also won two games, defeating No. 22 Monmouth 2-0 for its first conference win of the season. New Hampshire defeated UMass Lowell, 3-1, last Friday and Stanford topped UC Davis by the same score later that evening.
Maine will face Cal in a battle of league unbeatens Friday afternoon in Orono on ESPN+. Seven other conference matchups lie ahead for Friday and Sunday with the majority airing on AmericaEast.tv.
The preseason poll was released Aug. 11.
Fans will once again be able to watch the majority of #AEFH this season. Select games will air on The AE on ESPN while others will air on AmericaEast.TV. Those games will be available on computers, OTT devices and the brand new America East app, which is available on all IOS and Android devices and can be found by searching ‘America East Conference’ in app stores.
Follow the @AEDigitalNet Twitter account to stay up-to-date on America East field hockey news all season long and use #AEFH to join the conversation.
#AEFH Weekly Award Winners – Oct. 5
Offensive Player of the Week
Poppy Lambert, Maine – So., Back, Greytown, New Zealand
- Scored three times in two games to stretch the Black Bears’ win streak to six.
- Lambert scored twice in the final nine minutes against UAlbany to complete the comeback.
- This is her second career Offensive Player of the Week honor and first this season.
Defensive Player of the Week
Sierra Espeland, Vermont – Sr., Goalkeeper, Stafford, Va.
- Made five saves in shutout win over Monmouth.
- Espeland compiled a .900 save percentage, allowing one goal to Wagner in 2-0 week.
- This is her first Defensive Player of the Week honor this season and third overall.
Rookie of the Week
Alina Gerke, Vermont – Fr., Forward, Hamburg, Germany
- Found the back of the cage twice in Vermont’s perfect week.
- She was credited with the game-winning tally in both contests.
- This is Gerke’s first Rookie of the Week award.
2021 #AEFH Weekly Award Winners
Aug. 31 – Offensive Player of the Week: Hanna McKie, Monmouth; Defensive Player of the Week: Jemma Woods, New Hampshire; Rookie of the Week: Lorane Vanneste, Monmouth
Sept. 7 – Offensive Player & Rookie of the Week: Alison Smisdom, UAlbany; Defensive Player of the Week: Ally Tarantino, Monmouth
Sept. 14 – Offensive Player of the Week: Annick van Lange, Monmouth; Defensive Player of the Week: Eleonore Boekhorst, UMass Lowell: Rookie of the Week: Sophia Drees, Vermont
Sept. 21 – Offensive Player of the Week: Jenna Berger, UMass Lowell; Defensive Player of the Week: Ally Tarantino, Monmouth; Rookie of the Week: Lorane Vanneste, Monmouth
Sept. 28 – Offensive Player of the Week: Chloe Walton, Maine; Defensive Player of the Week: Cato Knipping, California; Rookie of the Week: Alison Smisdom, UAlbany
Oct. 5 – Offensive Player of the Week: Poppy Lambert, Maine; Defensive Player of the Week: Sierra Espeland, Vermont; Rookie of the Week: Alina Gerke, Vermont
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