Opening Day

Opening Day

Three new coaches, two of whom will lead the soccer programs. One new playing facility. With the dawn of a new sports season upon us, change is in the air at the University of New England.

New field hockey coach Jane Hurt traversed the Atlantic to take over UNE's highly-successful program. A native of England, Hurt boasts an impressive playing and coaching resume. She assumes the post previously held by Joan Howard, who has moved over to the administrative side of collegiate athletics.

Heather Davis will be at the head of the bench for the women's soccer team. Davis, a highly-accomplished leader who had previously been at NCAA Division II Lock Haven and the prestigious NCAA Division III institution Carnegie Mellon, carries with her 12 years of head coaching experience at the collegiate level. She fills the void created when Doug Biggs retired last January after piling up 180 wins in 20 seasons at UNE.

The other new addition to the Nor'easters' coaching staff is head men's soccer coach Matt Gnall. Gnall comes to Biddeford from Williams College, where he helped oversee a team that advanced to last season's NCAA Division III national semifinal. He brings with him experience with some of the most elite programs in the nation - both as a player at Wesleyan and a coach at Williams. Gnall takes over for Andy Biggs, who left UNE in June to become an assistant at Brown. The Nor'easters are coming off a 10-win season, their highest win output since the 1997 campaign.

Perhaps the most exciting development in recent months is the completion of the synthetic turf field. The field hockey squad christened the complex this morning with its initial training session. Players and fans will be treated to a first-rate playing surface, bleacher seating for more than 550, and a state-of-the art PA and sound system.

While summer is vacation time for many, things have been busy on the beautiful UNE campus.

Games get underway Sept. 1 when the field hockey team hosts Southern Maine at 4 p.m. on the Big Blue Turf, followed by a men's soccer game with Thomas (7 p.m.) at Barbara J. Hazard Field.

What a year it was....

What a year it was...

For those of you who follow March Madness, you probably look forward to the video montage CBS puts together at the close of the men's championship game. Set to the song "One Shining Moment', the piece reflects on the highs and lows of the frenzied field of 65 (soon to be 68).

As we turn out the lights on another school year, we felt it fitting to look back at 2009-2010 -- another banner year for the University of New England Nor'easters.

Here is our version of 'One Shining Moment.'

Certainly one of the lasting memories from '09-'10 will be the show of emotion from the women's basketball team (see above photo) as the final horn sounded in Big Blue's victory over Regis in the TCCC championship game. Head coach Anthony Ewing's club won a school-record 23 times, en route to the Nor'easters first trip to the Big Dance since 2001.

And how about that numblingly cold evening in November when UNE captured the ECAC New England field hockey championship? Senior Taryn Flagg tallied her third goal of the match 2:13 into overtime to set off a wild celebration under the lights on Barbara J. Hazard Field. Joan Howard and her crew ripped off a program-best 16 wins on their way to the school's first ECAC title.

Several other teams posted impressive seasons along the way. The women's lacrosse team turned a four-win '09 season into a 12-win campaign in 2010 -- the greatest turnaround in NCAA Division III during 2010. The men's soccer team came up with double-digit wins for the first time since 1997, while the women were on the winning side of the ledger 15 times for the second consecutive season. The softball team ripped off its fourth straight year of 20 or more wins, and the swim squad sent a competitor to the ECAC Championship for the first time.

Individually, this space might not be enough for all Big Blue's accomplishments. Flagg was the field hockey program's first all-American, while teammate Anne Cowles was voted TCCC Woman of the Year. UNE boasts four TCCC Senior Scholar-Athletes of the Year, four players/rookies of the year, and a pair of coaches of the year. (click here for a complete listing of all of the award winners)

At a place where academics and athletics goes hand-in-hand, UNE lived that mantra once again, placing a staggering 51 student-athletes on the TCCC Academic All-Conference Team, 10 more than the institution with the next-highest number.

Years down the road when Big Blue loyalists reflect on 2009-2010 chock full of championships individual accolades, it will be tough not to say, 'what a year it was.'

Deciphering a Decade

Deciphering a Decade

When the ball dropped in Times Square to bring 2009 to a close, it was also quitting time for the opening decade of the new century.

So much had happened in a mere 10 years. The terms Twitter, iPhone and Facebook are now part of nearly everyone's vernacular. American Idol, Survivor and Grey's Anatomy reign on TV. And sadly, the events of Sept. 11, 2001 had changed our world forever.

That 10-year span saw the University of New England Nor'easters storm into the decade and close it with a flurry.

Below is a look back at one observer's 10 most compelling stories of the decade.

10. Field hockey player Taryn Flagg is chosen third team all-America (2009)

After shattering nearly every career and single-season record in the program’s record book, Taryn Flagg ’10 was recognized by Longstreth and the National Field Hockey Coaches Association as a third team all-American. Flagg finished her brilliant career with 51 goals and 22 assists, good for 124 total points – all school records. She piled up a school-record 24 goals in 2009 en route to earning The Commonwealth Coast Conference (TCCC) Player of the Year and first team all-Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) accolades.

9. Four fall student-athletes selected TCCC Senior Scholar-Athletes of the Year (2009)

In span of just a few days this past October, four fall sport student-athletes were recognized as TCCC Senior Scholar-Athlete of the Year in their respective sport. Anne Cowles (field hockey), Ryan Tarr (men’s soccer), Ali Trafton (women’s soccer) and Claire Varner (volleyball) were each honored as the gold standard for the term “student-athlete.”

8. UNE announces plans for construction of a synthetic turf field (2009)

As the athletics program has grown by leaps-and-bounds, so has the need for additional space and an upgrade to facilities. Some of those needs will become a reality in the near future when construction of a synthetic turf field commences. The Nor’easters will be one of the few athletics programs in the nation – and the only NCAA Division III institution – sporting blue synthetic turf. The fully-lit facility will be a competition field for field hockey and lacrosse, as well as soccer during inclement weather. It will also provide the student body space for intramural activities in the evening.

7. Field hockey team captures UNE’s first ECAC Championship (2009)

A scoring attack that ranked UNE 17th in the nation. A program-record 16 wins. The Nor’easters’ first ECAC Championship in any sport. Any way you look at it, the 2009 field hockey season was one to remember. After going 13-2 during the regular season and drawing an opening-round bye in the TCCC Tournament, the Nor’easters were upset by Nichols in the semifinal round. Joan Howard’s squad made the most of the ECAC bid it earned, storming thru the bracket to walk away with the title. Few in attendance will ever forget the epic 3-2 overtime victory over Plymouth State in the championship tilt.

6. UNE brings back men’s ice hockey after a 25-year hiatus (2007)

The University expanded its varsity sport offerings from 13 to 14 with the addition of a men’s ice hockey team, bringing back a program that enjoyed a great deal of success in the late 1970’s when UNE was known as St. Francis College. Under the direction of Brad Holt, the Nor’easters competed at a pre-varsity level for the 2007-08 and 2008-09 seasons before earning membership into the ECAC East, one of the nation’s premier NCAA Division III leagues.

5. Women’s soccer captures a conference championship (2000)

In just its second year as a member of the Commonwealth Coast Conference, the women’s soccer team was better than all the others in the CCC. Under the direction of Doug Biggs, the Nor’easters posted a 10-1-1 regular-season conference mark and outscored their opponent 10-1 during the CCC Championship to win the program’s first conference title since becoming an NCAA Division III member.

4. Cutting down the nets (2001)

Talk about a Cinderella story. After earning a number six seed in the conference tournament by virtue of an 8-4 regular-season record, the women's basketball team won three consecutive playoff games on the road to come away with a CCC title. Perhaps even more impressive than the three road wins was the fashion in which it was done – UNE came away victorious by an average of 13 points, including a 77-60 win over Gordon in the championship game.

3. Slugging their way to a title (2000)

Back-to-back victories over Endicott in the championship round of the CCC Championship gave the softball team the athletics program’s first conference title since becoming a full-fledge member of the NCAA in 1999. David Labbe’s Nor’easters boasted a vaunted offense that averaged nearly nine runs a game as they pounded their way to a 26-10 record. Included in those 26 wins was a 14-game winning streak, as well as a win over St. Joseph’s of Long Island in the opening round of the NCAA Championship – a victory that still stands today as UNE’s lone win in any sport in the NCAA Championship.

2. UNE recognized by the NCAA and USA Today (2003)

UNE’s academic excellence shone thru in 2003 when the University was honored by the NCAA and USA Today for having the highest student-athlete graduation rate in the nation. Former president Sandra Featherman, Ph.D and student-athlete Emily Willoughby traveled to McLean, Va. to accept the prestigious honor at the NCAA’s 2003 Academic Achievement Awards.

1. Creating a buzz while taking home a championship (2009)

A Campus Center record crowd of 1,093 supported the Nor’easters as they won the men’s basketball program’s first-ever The Commonwealth Coast Conference championship when the Nor’easters took down Colby-Sawyer, 90-79. During the regular season, Jason Mulligan’s crew reeled off 19 consecutive wins at one point on their way to racking up 24 wins – a turnaround of 19 wins in a span of two seasons. Buoyed by their faithful following at home, the Nor’easters averaged 372 fans per home contest, including more than 2,400 in attendance at three home playoff contests.

Nothing like a little home cookin'

Nothing like a little home cookin'

Heading into the final game before break, the men's basketball team had dropped five consecutive games and owned a 2-6 record. The 2-6 mark was a bit deceiving considering the rugged level of competition the Nor'easters had come across in the early going (UNE's setbacks have come to opponents with an aggregate record of 41-8).

So, what was the tonic for the ailment? Nothing like a little home cookin' to change the tone heading into a three-week layoff.

The Nor'easters took down UMaine Farmington, 81-67, last Saturday (Dec. 12) in what was just their second home game of the semester. The Big Blue have now won 16 straight at the friendly confines of the Campus Center -- a streak that dates back more than a year.

Since Jason Mulligan's arrival in 2007, his teams are 25-6 at home.

Maybe it's the familiar surroundings. Possibly it's the absence of a long bus trip. Certainly it's the loyal support of the Nor'easter faithful.

On behalf of all the members of the Athletics Department at UNE, I would like to wish each of you an enjoyable holiday season.

For those of you heading home for the holidays, enjoy the home cooking. I know I will!

Getting caught up

Getting caught up

Admittedly, it's been a while since 'Blogging up a Storm' has contained fresh material. Since the last post, things have been happening at a frenetic pace with the conclusion of the fall sports season and the start of the winter schedule (at least that's my excuse, and I'm sticking to it).

The field hockey team captured the institution's first ECAC Championship, edging Plymouth State 3-2 on Nov. 16. Senior Taryn Flagg recorded all three UNE goals, including her school-record 23rd tally of the sesaon 2:13 into overtime to give the Nor'easters the title in thrilling fashion. First-year back Emily Koehler was selected the Most Outstanding Player of the championship for her fine defensive work and solid play.

After smashing virtually every single-season and career record the program has, Flagg was chosen third team all-America and first team all-ECAC to cap a brilliant playing career.

Despite the women's soccer team's disappointing loss in the opening round of the TCCC Championship, the Nor'easters earned an ECAC Tournament berth and advanced to the semifinal round.

With the winter sports season already more than a month underway, the Nor'easters have enjoyed a pair of notable victories. The women's basketball team defeated nationally-ranked Southern Maine (No. 13) for just the second time in 37 meetings, while the men dropped UMass Dartmouth -- the nation's No. 8 team at the time -- three days later.

Final exams loom on the horizon, then the student body will get some time away to enjoy.

We wish you all the best during this holiday season.

The ebb and flow of a Saturday in the postseason

The ebb and flow of a Saturday in the postseason

Sitting in the pressbox yesterday as the women's soccer team battled an upstart Wentworth team, it was difficult to contain my excitement.

With a just-strong-enough wireless signal and a text message update from Head Athletic Trainer Brian Razak (from Assistant AT Tara Peterson), I was able to stay abreast of our other teams on the road at Western New England.

Men's soccer was leading top-seeded Western New England College in the second half. Cross country runner Matt Veiga had won the individual The Commonwealth Coast Conference Championship; Jess Partlow finished second in the women's race.

And even though the women's soccer team trailed Wentworth at the time, I knew we would battle back.

Several minutes later, the excitement level was even higher. The women had knotted the score at 1-1 on a goal by Karina Scavo. We had the momentum and seemed destined to move into the semifinals.

Right after that, I received an e-mail from Western New England SID Ken Cerino. The men still held a 2-1 lead with less than 25 minutes to play.

I was starting to formulate the headlines for what could prove to be one of the greatest Saturdays UNE sports has seen in quite some time.

The headline writing may have been a bit premature.

Another update from Ken at WNEC had the men's soccer game tied at 2. Moments later, Stephanie Crockett scored for Wentworth in the 86th minute for what would prove to be the game-winner. Just before the final horn sounded to end the women's game, the e-mail came in. The WNEC men had notched another goal and held on for victory.

I was consumed by disappointment.

But as I ambled across the field back towards my office, I was able to reflect on what this Fall season has brought us.

The men's soccer team came less than 25 minutes from knocking off the TCCC's best. Andy Biggs' team more than doubled its win total from a year ago. The women posted a nine-game win streak during the regular season and are currently 14-3 (we would seem a certain lock to receive an ECAC bid). The previous night Tristan Durgin and I were writing press releases about Anne Cowles, Ali Trafton and Ryan Tarr being selected TCCC Senior Scholar-Athletes of the Year in their respective sport; field hockey coach Joan Howard being voted TCCC Coach of the Year; Taryn Flagg being named TCCC Player of the Year in field hockey; and 14 soccer and field hockey players earning all-conference accolades.

For me, the emotional roller coaster of the afternoon had come to a close.

Seeking TCCC Supremacy

Seeking TCCC Supremacy

With just under two weeks remaining in the regular season, here's a look at how things are shaping up for the University of New England Nor'easters as they chase a conference title.

Field Hockey - Joan Howard's crew picked up a huge win this past Saturday, routing previously unbeaten (in the TCCC) Nichols. UNE put up a four-spot in the first half, then finished strong after the Bison answered with a pair of goals. The Nor'easters (9-2, 5-1 TCCC) are one of three teams currently with one conference loss. They will complete a suspended contest with Western New England on Thursday, then host New England College on Saturday in a game that could determine the top seed for the TCCC Tournament.

Women's Soccer - The Nor'easters (12-1 overall) are riding an eight-game win streak and are tied with Endicott with the top record in the TCCC. Doug Biggs' team controls its own destiny -- by virtue of defeating the Gulls earlier in the season -- and can lock up the number seed and home-field advantage by winning the remainder of its conference games.

Men's Soccer - The conference standings are tightly-bunched on the men's side, with three teams tied for fourth place with 18 points. Led by Andy Biggs, the Nor'easters are one of those teams in the gridlock. UNE has a rugged schedule left to go with dates against Roger Williams and WNEC, the two top teams in the standings. One victory in UNE's final three TCCC games (the Nor'easters also play Nichols) could secure a playoff spot. A sweep or 2-of-3 could wrap up a first-ever home playoff game since UNE joined the conference in 1999.

Volleyball - Karol L'Heureux's troops are 4-4 in conference play with matches against Gordon and Anna Maria remaining on the docket. The Nor'easters will need to sweep that tri-match and get some help in order to host an opening-round tournament game for the fourth consecutive season.

Cross Country - The men and women have a week off before competing in the TCCC Championship on Halloween. Both of Ron Ouellette's squads have had solid seasons and hope to challenge for conference titles. Jess Partlow on the women's side and Matt Veiga on the men's side have the ability to claim the individual hardware in their respective race.

Golf - And while it is technically considered an invitational since too few TCCC schools sponsor golf as a varsity sport, Kasey Keenan's team will compete in the conference event Oct. 22.