ORONO, Maine -- The University of Maine field hockey team opens their 2016 campaign against Providence, Friday August 26 at 1:00 p.m. and against Sacred Heart Sunday August 28 at 1:00 p.m.

2016 Maine Black Bears
Josette Babineau enters her 10th season as head coach of the Black Bears and Courtney Veinotte enters her sixth as associate head coach.

Maine returns their top three scorers in Danielle Aviani (11 G, 5 A, 27 pts), Sydney Veljacic (12 G, 2 A, 26 pts) and Libby Riedl (6 G, 13 A, 25 pts). The Black Bears are welcoming six newcomers, three from Canada (Morgan Anson, Brianna Ricker and Brittany Smith), two from Maine (Lilla Tilton-Flood and Riley Field) and one from Australia (Emily Hindle).

In goal, Maine returns Emilly Corbett and Emma Cochran who split time in net last season. Corbett was 9-2 on the year with a .763 save percentage and allowed 1.21 goals against game. Cochran went 10-2 with a .692 save percentage and a 1.37 goals against average
 
Providence Friars
The Friars are coming off of a 4-14 season last year that saw the Friars fall to the Black Bears 4-1. Providence has three seniors on the roster and an incoming freshman class of nine. 

Scouting Sunday's Matchup versus Sacred Heart
The Pioneers went 2-14 a season ago, they are returning one of their top point scorers Danielle Gallagher (3 G, 3 A, 9 pts). 

Pre-season polls
Maine has been selected number two overall in the east division of America East pre-season coaches poll.
The Black Bears were also selected 21 overall in the Penn Mott/NFHCA Coaches pre-season poll. 

Fans can follow along with live stats at GoBlackBears.com and can watch online at AmericaEast.TV