ORONO, Maine – Maine and UAlbany will meet in the America East Field Hockey Championship Game for the third time as both teams advanced past the semifinals on Friday.
#1 Maine reached the championship game with a 2-1 comeback win over #4 Cal. The Black Bears, who have never won the championship, are in the title game for just the fourth time in 15 seasons.
Sunday will mark the tenth time in that span the Great Danes appear in the championship game. This year’s three-seed topped #2 Monmouth, 1-0, in a defensive battle to get back to the tournament's final game. 2021 marks the third consecutive season the No. 3 seed will appear in the title game.
Semifinals Recap
#1 Maine 2, #4 Cal 1
- Maine dominated possession throughout the game, outshooting Cal 28-5.
- The Black Bears were awarded nine of their 19 corners in the first half but could not cash in.
- Cal capitalized on its first and only corner attempt of the game when Megan Connors sent in a corner and headed to the front of the net to tip the ball in.
- In the third quarter, Second-Team All-Conference selection Hana Davis evened the score as she drove on net from the right point and beat keeper Cato Knipping.
- Continued persistence from the Black Bears prevailed when First-Team All-Conference choice Poppy Lambert cleaned up a rebound on a penalty corner attempt early in the fourth quarter to take the lead.
- Maine held a 19-1 advantage in penalty corners over 60 minutes.
- Knipping finished with 16 saves – the most by any America East keeper all season.
#3 UAlbany 1, #2 Monmouth 0
- Monmouth had the first few quality chances but UAlbany capitalized on its first shot of the game when freshman Blanca Orsola scored in the opening quarter.
- At halftime, the Hawks held a 4-3 shot advantage.
- The Hawks earned some late penalty corners and totaled four throughout the game to the Great Danes’ three.
- Carli Figlio pulled her goalkeeper with just under four minutes remaining but the Hawks could not find the equalizer.
- Kate O’Hogan finished with three saves and one goal allowed.
- Shots on goal for the game were even at four apiece.
- For the second time this tournament, freshman goalkeeper Lara Behn recorded a shutout.
Stay up-to-date on the tournament by visiting Championship Central for streaming and live stats links. After the game, visit for box scores, highlights and recaps following the semifinals in addition to team information, tournament history and more. Follow @AmericaEast and @AEDigitalNet on Twitter to get the real-time championship updates. Use the #AEChamps and #AEFH hashtags to join the conversation.
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