Samm Johnson probably wishes she could buy another year of college field hockey eligibility.

The longer the senior midfielder from Mexico sticks around with the University of Southern Maine, the better the Huskies get.

Johnson, a Mountain Valley High School graduate, is a tri-captain for the second year in a row, leading a Huskies’ outfit that is off to an 8-3 start. Southern Maine is a perfect 6-0 in the Little East Conference.

“Samm is a vocal leader who demands hard work from her teammates,” USM coach Bonny Brown-Denico said in a university news release.

You’ll find the proof in the Huskies’ record. Southern Maine has improved from 4-16 in 2004 to 7-13 in Johnson’s sophomore season, then 10-11 in her first campaign as a captain.

Johnson has played in 10 of the Huskies’ 11 games, starting eight. She picked up the assist on India Lowe’s eventual game-winning goal in a 2-1 victory over Gordon College on Sept. 5.

In 20 starts as a junior, Johnson chalked up three goals, including one game-winner, and three assists. She also scored three times in the 2005 season.

Hitting close to home

Three local players have helped the University of Maine at Farmington carve out a five-game winning streak in women’s soccer.

Sophomore forward Jackie Mrazik of Mt. Vernon (Maranacook) has four goals for the Beavers, who have scored 16 goals and shut out four opponents during the run while improving to 6-3 on the campaign.

Hannah Carleton of Strong (Mt. Abram) checks in with two goals and an assist, while fellow freshman Bethany Charles of New Vineyard (Mt. Blue) has logged a goal and an assist

UMF also features the current North Atlantic Conference Player of the Week. Westbrook’s Chelsea Norton registered four goals and an assist in three victories over a five-day span for the Beavers.

Pratt works late for Lasell

Tia Pratt of South Paris (Oxford Hills) allowed Lasell College to end a four-game losing streak at the University of New England’s expense this week.

Pratt’s penalty stroke was one of two successful offerings in overtime as Lasell College of Auburndale, Mass., went the distance for a 2-1 victory over UNE. The Lasers improved to 3-8 with the triumph.

Husky Harriers hard to stop

Thanks in part to three area runners among the top 25, the USM men’s cross country team won Saturday’s Pop Crowell Invitational at Gordon College in Wenham, Mass.

Forrest Tobie of Mt. Vernon (Maranacook) was seventh out of 212 finishers with a time of 27 minutes, 33 seconds. Winthrop’s Nick Downing ran 11th for the Huskies in 27:44, and Tyler Jasud of Rumford (Mountain Valley) crossed the stripe 25th at 28:18.

Also competing for Southern Maine this fall are Dan Pontbriand of Auburn (Edward Little), Justin Richardson of Turner (St. Dom’s) and Sam Bennett of Gray.

Bowdoin is nation’s best

For the second time this decade, a women’s team at Bowdoin College is ranked No. 1 in the country.

Field hockey joined basketball in celebrating that distinction this week, earning the top spot in the STX/NFHCA national coaches’ poll.

Bowdoin (8-0) leapfrogged reigning national champion Ursinus to claim the top spot this week. The Polar Bears have extended their regular-season winning streak to 17 games by outscoring their opponents 26-0 thus far this season. They reached the final four last season.

The only New England team among the top 10, Bowdoin rides a 25-game home winning streak. Four of Bowdoin’s final six contests will be played in Brunswick, including games against UMF (Oct. 10) and Southern Maine (Oct. 23).

Colon connects at record clip

Bates College couldn’t overcome Tufts in a 35-20 football loss on Saturday, but senior Brandon Colon continued to make his mark as one of the most prolific passers in school history.

Colon completed 16-of-38 for 224 yards and a touchdown. Those numbers gave Colon 362 career completions, breaking the Bates record previously owned by Dan Hooley with six games to spare.

Senior linebacker Ron DiGravio of Farmington also shone for the Bobcats, making 11 tackles.