WATERVILLE — The Thomas College women’s lacrosse team is embracing the role of the underdog.
With a first-year head coach and a young, inexperienced roster, the Terriers were chosen to finish seventh out of the eight teams in the North Atlantic Conference, according to a preseason coaches poll.
After nine games — including a 15-8 victory over rival University of Maine at Farmington on Wednesday afternoon — Thomas has a 3-6 record (1-1 in the NAC) and is fourth in the conference standings.
“That (preseason poll) is kind of our drive,” said senior midfielder Anna Chadwick. “You want to underestimate us? We’re the underdogs, we’ll show you what we’re made of.”
The win over the Beavers (1-7, 1-1 NAC) was the second straight victory for the Terriers. The scoring has opened up for Thomas in the last two games, with the Terriers netting a combined 26 goals.
“We’ve focused on being both a first and second half team, not just a second half (team),” Chadwick said. “We can’t just coast on neutral, we have to step on the gas a little more.”
On Wednesday, first-year midfielder and Morse High School graduate Mary LaRochelle led the Terriers with five goals. Chadwick, a Gardiner Area High School graduate, added four goals. Kristina Moody led UMF with three goals.
Among the scorers for Thomas were junior Amanda Blondin and Aubrey Schaeffer, each playing their first season of lacrosse with the Terriers. Both notched their first career goals in the win.
Thomas College’s Anna Chadwick, left, takes the ball past UMF’s Kristina Moody during a women’s lacrosse game Wednesday in Waterville. Rich Abrahamson/Morning Sentinel
“Five out of our 14 have never played and picked up a stick,” said Thomas head coach Jenn Morris, a Terrier alum who owns the program records in career goals (175), assists (63) and points (238). “We were low on numbers, a lot of their friends played and wanted to have a season for them, they (hopped on board) and we’re all on the same ship. It’s going really well.
“On top of (new players having) no bad habits, I think the biggest (positive) is chemistry,” Morris added. “At the college level, to have people joining your team that have never played before with people that have played, there’s a certain level of being a really good teammate that has to happen. The chemistry you have to have to facilitate that is strong, and we have it. That’s the best part, outside of the skills.”
With five games remaining in the regular season, the Terriers still have a shot in going from an underdog to a Cinderella and making the postseason. The top team in the conference is SUNY Canton (5-5, 2-0 NAC), followed by Maine Maritime (4-5, 2-0 NAC). The combined record of the teams Thomas faces in the final five games is 9-27.
“It’s always fun being the team that’s underestimated,” Morris said. “Because people don’t expect (the success) from you. Giving them the surprise has been kind of the rewarding thing. It’s been a lot of fun. We’re competitive, and that’s a huge thing to see when a third of your team has never played (before).”
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