Freshman keeper anchors Maine field hockey bid
UMaine hosts Albany Tuesday in the America East semifinal, relying on Annabel Halkes to turn the season around.
By Andrew Yang ·
The University of Maine field hockey team enters its second America East title game appearance in three days with a new face between the pipes. The second-seeded Black Bears host the third-seeded University at Albany at 3 p.m. Tuesday at the UMaine Field Hockey Complex in Orono.
Albany is 10-6 overall and 3-2 in conference play. UMaine stands at 8-8 overall and 3-2 in the league. The winner advances to face the victor of the semifinal between top seed UMass Lowell and fifth seed Vermont on Friday.
Head coach Josette Babineau credits the team's resurgence to freshman goalkeeper Annabel Halkes. Maine went 7-12 and 1-4 in conference play last year. Halkes, from the Netherlands, now holds the third-best save percentage in Division I at .811.
Halkes averages 7.25 saves per game, the 12th-highest total in the country. She has recorded five shutouts this season. Babineau, in her 20th year at Maine, called Halkes the most impactful freshman goalie she has coached.
"She has great size, she is very powerful, she has good reactions and she is a competitor," Babineau said. The coach also noted the keeper's composure and strong presence.
Halkes made the All-America East second team and All-Rookie team. Three other Maine players earned league honors. Sophomore midfielder Martha Barratt led the team with eight goals and 23 points. Seniors Saylor Kuefler and Eloise Penty were second team picks.
Albany features Rookie of the Year Quinty Reumer, who leads the league with 11 goals. Reumer and teammates Jette Kurz and Mara Kuskes were first team selections. The teams met on Oct. 2 in Orono, where Maine won 3-1 to end a four-game losing streak against Albany.
