UMPI golfers claim top honors
Golf team wins Sunrise Conference
Mike Balmer shot a medalist round of 79 to lead the University of Maine at Presque Isle golf team to the win in Monday’s Sunrise Conference championship tournament held at JaTo Highlands in Lincoln.
The Owls totaled 344 strokes and bested UM-Machias, which posted 495.
Balmer, a freshman from New Smyrna Beach, Fla., was named conference golfer and rookie of the year and headlined the all-conference team which also included senior Paul Rucci of Millinocket, who shot an 85 Monday, and freshmen Ellis Pelletier of Caribou (86) and Randy Whitmore of Milford (94). Dan Hotham was named the Sunrise Conference coach of the year.
The University of Maine at Presque Isle women’s soccer team came from behind Sunday, scoring two unanswered goals in the second half to earn a 2-1 victory over the Roos of SUNY-Canton in Sunrise Conference play. With the win, the Owls improved to 8-2 overall and 5-2 in conference play.
SUNY-Canton scored in the 37th minute, with Angie Waryasz doing the honors, before the Owls started their comeback. Lainey Herring, a sophomore from Houlton, scored in the 55th and 74th minutes to put UMPI in front. Desiree Smith of Thomaston and Susan Lavertu of Madawaska furnished the assists.
Owl goalie Taylor Ussery of LaVerne, Calif. saved six of seven shots to gain the win.
On Saturday, coach Dan Williams’ team cruised to a 6-0 triumph over the Green Knights of Vermont Technical College. Herring had a hat trick and an assist, while Lavertu scored twice and Brittany Humphrey of New Gloucester also scored. Smith, Lavertu, Chelsea Boudreau of Wallace Nova Scotia and Presque Isle High School graduate and Mannheim, Germany native Brooke Long were all credited with assists.
Ussery turned away both shots she faced for the shutout in goal.
The Lady Owls are back in action today, Oct. 13, as they head to Maine Maritime Academy to take on the Mariners in a non-conference match-up. Kick-off is set for 3 p.m.
The University of Maine at Presque Isle men’s soccer team scored three unanswered goals in the second half of play Sunday to earn a 3-1 Sunrise Conference victory over SUNY-Canton at Park Family Field.
The win improved the Owls’ record to 6-4 overall and 4-3 in conference play.
The Roos tallied first, but UMPI’s Ben Costello, a senior from Old Town, tied the score in the 50th minute. Craig Maffei of Reading set up teammate Corey Fournier of Bradley for the go-ahead goal in the 73rd minute, while Carl Nemer, a freshman from Ashland, closed out the scoring on a header off a Fournier assist in the 81st minute.
The Owls’ Josh MacKinnon, of Merigomish, Nova Scotia, earned the win in goal by making three saves on four SUNY-Canton shots.
UMPI bested Vermont Technical College Saturday, 5-1, behind two goals from Devon Peaslee of Woolwich and one each by twin brother Joshua Peaslee, Corey White of Easton and Nemer.
MacKinnon saved two of four shots in goal for the Owls, who play Maine Maritime Academy in Castine today in a non-conference match-up. Game time is set for 5 p.m.
The University of Maine at Presque Isle cross country teams competed at the annual Runnin’ Monks Invitational Saturday at St. Joseph’s College in Standish.
On the women’s side, senior Shelly Hanson of Charleston led the way for her team, finishing the 5K course in a time of 25:07, which was good for 33rd overall. Sophomore Alli Pizzuti of Caribou came in 50th in 29:38 as the only other Owl competitor.
For the men, first-year runner Jaron Gray of Danforth had an outstanding performance in the men’s 8K race and his best of the year thus far. Gray accomplished a well-paced race, averaging 6:58-minute miles en route to a 34:38 finish, which put him in 39th place.
Jesse Howard of Bingham also ran a solid race for his Owl team, finishing in a time of 39:34 to take 51st place. Fellow first-year runner Zach Barnes of Presque Isle came in seconds later in 39:37, placing him 52nd overall, while Samuel Johnson of South Berwick finished 53rd in 39:55. Senior Michael LeClair of Winslow rounded out his UMPI team by crossing the line in 42:06, 56th place overall.
The Owl men’s team placed seventh out of eight teams on the day.
UMPI will next compete in the Maine State Championships, hosted by Bowdoin College in Brunswick Saturday.
