When people talk about the Husson University softball dynasty, the conversation almost always circles back to one team — the 2013 Eagles. They were the group that set the standard, shattered program ceilings, and showed everyone that Husson softball could compete with the best in the country.

That spring, under head coach Husson Sports Hall of Famer, Amanda Bourgoin, the Eagles went 32-12-1 overall, finished 15-1 in the North Atlantic Conference (NAC), and captured yet another conference championship. But what made the 2013 season historic wasn’t just the wins — it was the breakthrough that followed.

With a 1-0 victory over Bridgewater State in the NCAA Regional, Husson earned its first NCAA tournament win in program history, forever etching the team into the university’s record books.

If you ask anyone who played or coached that season, the word that comes up again and again is chemistry.

“I don’t think we had a single ounce of drama on that team,” said Husson Sports Hall of Famer, Lona Sargent, one of the squad’s senior leaders. “There were no egos, no jealousy, no cliques — just total support. We all had each other’s backs, and you could feel that every day.”

That trust and connection translated directly onto the field. Husson went a perfect 16-0 at home and ripped off two separate nine-game win streaks. They won tight games, dominated others, and made a habit of pulling through in clutch moments.

The roster’s makeup was another key to its success. Nearly every player hailed from Maine — a point of pride for Bourgoin.

“One of our recruiting goals was to scoop up the best players in our home state,” Bourgoin said. “Most of them had played against each other in high school or knew each other already. Bringing them together to compete at the college level was something really special.”

That shared background helped build instant chemistry. Merrill remembers it vividly. “A lot of us had played each other before,” she said. “I had pitched to Heidi Shaw in an all-star game, and I’d played against players like Allie and Courtney from Calais in a state championship. We weren’t strangers — we knew each other’s competitiveness.”

Sargent agreed that the local connection created a unique bond. “Growing up in small Maine towns gave us a similar mindset,” she said. “We all had that same work ethic and respect for each other. It gave us a kind of small-town energy — we were humble, but we knew how good we could be.”

By 2013, Husson softball was already a regional powerhouse, with four straight conference titles. But the team had yet to win a game on the national stage. That all changed in May at the NCAA Regional in Babson, Massachusetts.

After a heartbreaking 1-0 loss to No. 10 Rowan in the opener, the Eagles faced Bridgewater State in an elimination game. Merrill took the mound.

Though their run ended the next day in another one-run loss to Springfield College, the tone for Husson softball’s future had been set.

“I think it was a little bit of excitement and a little bit of relief,” Bourgoin said. “We’d been chasing that goal for years. When we finally did it, it was validation — that we could compete at that level.”

The 2013 team didn’t just win games — they redefined what Husson softball could be. Their discipline and attitude became the foundation for everything that followed.

“We were so focused and disciplined,” Sargent said. “Nobody showed up late to practice. When we were there, we were locked in. We all knew how great we could be if we put in the work.”

Merrill echoed that sentiment, pointing to how their approach influenced future teams. “We worked hard, not just in practice but outside of it,” she said. “It wasn’t uncommon for a few of us to go hit on our own, take extra lessons, or put in more reps. That became the standard — that if you wanted to win, you had to work for it.”

That culture of accountability, Merrill said, has carried through to today’s teams. “We set that precedent. Every year after, players saw that success and wanted to be part of it. You win, and suddenly people want to come to Husson. That’s how you build something lasting.”

More than a decade later, the 2013 team’s influence is still felt. Since the pandemic, Husson softball has hosted two NCAA Regionals and reached the regional championship game twice — milestones that trace back to the groundwork that team laid.

“As a coach, you always hope your team leaves a lasting impact on the culture of the program,” Bourgoin said. “The 2013 team did exactly that. Their legacy continues to inspire future generations.”

Sargent agreed. “Winning that first regional game gave the program belief,” she said. “It showed every team that followed that if you stay focused and disciplined, there’s no limit to what you can do.”

And as the 2013 Eagles take their rightful place in the Husson Sports Hall of Fame, they do so not just as champions — but as trailblazers.