No. 2 University of Maine earned a hard-fought 1-0 victory over No. 3 Albany in semifinal action of the 2005 America East Field Hockey Championship Friday afternoon. The Black Bears advance to the conference’s title game versus top-seed and host Boston University on Saturday at 3 p.m.

Maine and Albany were evenly matched throughout as both teams tallied three shots and five penalty corners a piece. Gina Legge scored the game’s only goal at the 17:21 mark which proved to be the difference for the Black Bears.

For the third time in program history, Maine advances to the title game of the league’s field hockey championship. The Black Bears are in search of their first ever conference crown.

Boston University won the day’s first semifinal by defeating No. 4 Vermont, 5-0. The Terriers defeated Maine in the regular season finale between the two on October 30. Boston U. is 2-0 in post-season play versus the Black Bears, with the two last meeting in the semifinals of the 1995 conference championship. The Terriers won that contest 4-1.

The winner of the America East Championship will have to face the MAC champion in a play-in game on Tuesday, November 8 to gain a bid to the NCAA Tournament. The field hockey selection show will be aired live on CSTV Tuesday night, 7:30 p.m.

SCORING
Maine: Gina Legge (unassisted), 17:21

SHOTS
Albany: 3
Maine: 3

PENALTY CORNERS
Albany: 5
Maine: 5

SAVES
Albany: Ashley Ross (70:00, 0 saves)
Maine: Rebecca Giroux (70:00, 1 saves)