BANGOR, Maine – Sophomore Maddie Arsenault's third-quarter game-winner gives Husson University field hockey team its third-straight conference title with 2-1 victory over Thomas College in the North Atlantic Conference Title Game on Sunday afternoon at the Winking Sports Complex.
The Terriers (12-8) controlled the first quarter of play as they fired six shots, including the opening goal as they led 1-0 after 15 minutes of action.
Thomas looked to be in control again to open the second quarter, but Husson (9-5) had a little magic up its sleeve. Following an Eagles shot that was turned away by Thomas, senior Teagan Blackie managed to get a stick off the deflection to keep the play alive for the Eagles. Sophomore Averi Baker who just entered the game off the Husson bench made an immediate impact as the sophomore laid out for the pass, getting a stick on the rolling ball and defected a shot into the back of the Terriers cage to even the game 1-1 heading into the half.
Baker's effort sparked the Eagles attack, who controlled possession for most of the second half en route to setting up the eventual game-wining goal. Similar to the Eagles tying goal, Husson managed to play a deflection midway through the third quarter following senior Julia Murch's shot on goal. Murch's attempt was kicked away by the Thomas keeper, allowing junior Karlie Ramsdell to tip the ball back to Arsenault who laced a shot into the cage for the go-ahead goal.
Senior Kimmie Goddard and the Eagles defense stood strong over the final 20-plus minutes of action, fending off two Terrier shots to secure the championship decision.
Goddard, Baker and sophomore Maddie Perkins earned all-tournament honors for the Eagles, while sophomore Ella Louder who had the difficult task of slowing down the NAC leading goal scorer Julia Reny took home most valuable player honors after holding Reny scoreless.
Louder's MVP selection, marked the first time in program history that a non-offensive position player or goalie has won MVP honors in a conference championship. Additionally, the Eagles won their first NAC championship since the 2017 season after winning back-to-back New England Collegiate Conference titles the past two seasons.
