Black Bears open conference play against Lowell, travel to take on No. 5 Northwestern

ORONO, Maine - A new season begins on Friday afternoon, as the University of Maine field hockey team opens up America East conference play against the River Hawks of UMass Lowell on Friday at 3:00 PM in Orono, followed by a trip to Newton, Massachusetts for a neutral site contest against Northwestern on Sunday at 2:30.

UMass Lowell at Maine | Broadcast | Live Stats
Date: Friday, October 4th
Time: 3:00 PM
Site: UMaine Field Hockey Complex
Series History: 13-1-1, Maine
Last Meeting: 2018, Maine, 5-4 (2OT)
First Meeting: 1985, Maine, 7-0

BLACK BEAR BRIEFING

Maine has not been able to find it's way offensively this year, with a solid 59.4% of their shots being on goal translating to just 14 goals through the first eight games. All the pieces for an offensive outburst are in place, but the Black Bears continue to be eluded by that breakout game.
The bulk of Maine's offense has come via senior captain Brianna Ricker, whose 13 points on the year amount for eight more than anybody else on the roster.
Brooke Sulinski and Chloe Walton each have two goals apiece on the year, constituting the only other repeat scorers on the roster.
Maine's netminder is Mia Borley, who's posted a 2.96 GAA and 40 total saves on the season so far.
The Black Bears goal differential per game is -1.50, as five of their seven losses have come by a single goal.

RIVER HAWKS REPORT

The squad from UMass Lowell has posted an even 4-4 record so far this season, most recently defeating Columbia by a 2-1 final before falling to Dartmouth in overtime by a 4-3 final.
12 different River Hawks have notched a point so far this season, freshman Sofie Knook leading the way with four goals on the year.
Eva Berkhout is the goalkeeper, with a 2.37 GAA and a .579% save percentage.
The River Hawks are led by Shannon Hlebichuk in her 18^th season at the helm of the program.

Maine vs. No. 5 Northwestern | Broadcast and Live Stats Links TBA
Date: Sunday, October 6th
Time: 2:30 PM
Site: Boston College, Newton, Mass.
Series History: 2-1-0, Northwestern
Last Meeting: 2009, Northwestern, 3-2 (OT)
First Meeting: 2006, Northwestern, 4-3

WILDCATS WRITE-UP

Northwestern has been on fire as of late, winning eight straight games punctuated by a 1-0 shootout victory over #9 Michigan last Sunday. They've posted a 10-2 overall record with six wins over teams in the top-25.
The Wildcats are led by redshirt freshman and the nation's leading goal-scorer Bente Baekers who has amassed 16 goals and 33 points in just 12 games.
As a whole, the team has a +1.75 goal differential so far this year.
Northwestern's goalkeeping goes to Florien Marcussen, who has posted a .746 save percentage and a 1.24 GAA with four shutouts on her record so far.

All home games at the UMaine Field Hockey Complex are free admission. Follow @UMaineFH on Twitter and Instagram and visit goblackbears.com for all the latest news and updates regarding the program.

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Players Mentioned

#1 Mia Borley: Goalkeeper; 5' 7"; Sophomore

#8 Brianna Ricker: Forward; 5' 9"; Senior

#6 Brooke Sulinski: Forward; 5' 2"; Junior

#10 Chloe Walton: Forward/Midfield/Back; 5' 9"; Sophomore

Players Mentioned

#1 Mia Borley
: 5' 7"; Sophomore
: Goalkeeper

#8 Brianna Ricker
: 5' 9"; Senior
: Forward

#6 Brooke Sulinski
: 5' 2"; Junior
: Forward

#10 Chloe Walton
: 5' 9"; Sophomore
: Forward/Midfield/Back