WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
Navy Classic
MAINE vs. GEORGE WASHINGTON
Time, site: Friday, 3:30 p.m.; Alumni Hall, Annapolis, Md.
Records: Maine 3-3, George Washington 3-3
Series, last meeting: George Washington leads 4-0, GW 57-47 on 12/17/05
Key players: Maine — 5-9 G Ashleigh Roberts (10.8 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 1.2 apg, 1.2 spg), 5-7 G Brittany Williams (9.3 ppg, 2.2 apg, 1.5 spg), 5-2 G Amber Dillon (4.0 ppg), 6-1 F Shareka Maner (6-2 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 1.7 spg), 6-2 F Corinne Wellington (6.7 ppg, 4.5 rpg), 5-6 G Courtney Anderson (7.7 ppg, 3.1 apg, 1.0 spg, .556 3-pt. FG pct.); George Washington — 6-5 C Sara Mostafa (11.7 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 1.0 bpg), 5-3 G Danni Jackson (11.7 ppg, 2.1 apg, 1.8 spg), 6-1 F Tara Booker (9.8 ppg, 8.7 rpg), 6-2 F Brooke Wilson (6.7 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 2.0 apg, .571 FG pct.), 5-7 G Kristin Aldridge (3.7 ppg, 4.0 rpg)
Outlook: The Black Bears take a big step up after Tuesday’s 73-37 win over Division III Maine Maritime Academy. UMaine faces the Colonials, of the Colonial Athletic Association, who have played a tough schedule that includes Auburn and Virginia Tech. GW has won two straight coming off Wednesday’s 58-52 overtime victory over Old Dominion. The Bears continue to struggle with offensive continuity, but will have to concentrate on defense and rebounding. Both teams have experienced considerable turnover difficulties. UMaine’s post players will be tested and must bottle up Mostafa in the paint without fouling. On Saturday, the Bears take on host Navy, led by former Bowdoin coach Stefanie Pemper, at 3:30 p.m.
MEN’S COLLEGE HOCKEY
MAINE vs. VERMONT
Time, site: Friday, Saturday, 7 p.m., Gutterson Fieldhouse, Burlington, Vt.
Records: Maine 4-6-2 (3-5-1 Hockey East), Vermont 3-8-1 (1-6-1)
Series, last meeting: Maine leads 17-14-3, Maine 4-2 on Feb. 12
Key players: Maine — C Brian Flynn (5 goals, 10 assists), LW Spencer Abbott (5 & 9), RW Joey Diamond (6 & 6), D-RW Matt Mangene (2 & 6), D Will O’Neill (1 & 6), G Dan Sullivan (3-3-2, 3.02 goals-against average, .893 save percentage), G Martin Ouellette (1-3, 3.31, .873); Vermont — C Sebastien Stalberg (6 & 4), LW Kyle Reynolds (3 & 5), LW Connor Brickley (6 & 0), D Anders Franzon (0 & 6), D Drew MacKenzie (3 & 2), G Rob Madore (2-6-1, 4.10, .862), G Alex Vazzano (1-2, 3.44, .889)
Outlook: Both teams are desperate for points in order to start moving up the Hockey East standings. Vermont has won two of its last three while Maine snapped a five-game winless streak (0-4-1) with a 4-3 win over Clarkson in Portland on Saturday night. Sullivan has played well of late but is hampered by an ankle injury suffered against Clarkson. If he can’t go, Ouellette will replace him. The Black Bears need to keep their legs moving and get to the UVM net to create chances and draw penalties. UVM’s 70.8 penalty-killing efficiency ranks 57th among 58 Division 1 teams so the Bears might be able to capitalize with their resurgent power play, which has converted six of its last 14 opportunities. Maine must be more disciplined. The Bears are now tied for the fifth-most penalized team in college hockey, averaging 17.5 penalty minutes per game.