By their junior year, most college athletes are adapting to the quicker pace of the college game and the challenge of the college lifestyle and maybe, just maybe, enjoying some playing time.
Denise Minigell rounded that learning curve a long time ago.
Minigell, a graduate of Edward Little High School, has achieved a status and level of respect with the University of Southern Maine field hockey team that’s foreign to most third-year players. Together with seniors Sarah Metivier and Kayla Vaughn, the junior Minigell is a USM tri-captain this fall.
The defensive standout started 17 games for Southern Maine as a sophomore. Minigell scored two goals. One was a game-winner in a 2-0 triumph over rival Saint Joseph’s College.
It’s a bonus when Minigell rattles the cage. Her stifling presence in the backfield earned second-team all-Little East Conference laurels last autumn.
Minigell was selected from among seven other returning players to join second-year captains Metivier and Vaughan.
“Having two returning captains gives us great leadership for a youthful squad,” said eighth-year USM coach Bobby Brown-Denico. “All three of these young women have been solid leaders for the team both on and off the field. Sarah, Kayla and Denise each have unique personalities that combine well together.”
USM struggled out of the gate, dropping a 3-0 decision at Babson College on Saturday. The Huskies play their home opener at 4 p.m. today against Gordon.
Minigell is joined on the squad by a second local player, sophomore midfielder Samm Johnson of Mexico.
Shining start
Freshman Brian Leighton of Turner has led Mount Ida College of Newton, Mass., to two wins and a tie in its first three games of the season.
The Leavitt Area High School graduate has saved 16 of 19 shots in his first three collegiate starts as goalkeeper. On Tuesday, Leighton kept the University of New England off the scoreboard until the final minute of regulation in a 1-1 tie.
Leighton is listed as the only goaltender on Mount Ida’s 16-man roster. The Mustangs’ next visit to Maine is a weekend doubleheader at Thomas and the University of Maine at Farmington on Sept. 24-25.
Quick hits
Poland Regional High School’s young football program has produced its first collegiate player. Stevie Ray is listed on the Susquehanna University (Selinsgrove, Pa.) roster as a split end … Former Brunswick High School star running back Phillip Warren is on the team at Division I-A Buffalo as a fullback. Warren, who was notoriously tough to tackle during his high school career, is listed at 270 pounds.
Auburn’s Luke Welch begins his sophomore season with the Bowdoin College men’s soccer team Saturday at Bates. Welch was a multi-sport standout at North Yarmouth Academy … Joe Fitzsimmons of Lewiston is now a senior with UMF men’s cross country. He earned all-North Atlantic Conference honors as a sophomore and junior for the Beavers, who also captured the league’s team championship both years.
Comments are no longer available on this story