It took five games, but Courtney Erskine and the Colby field hockey team got first-year coach Tina Cormier her first win in style this past week.

Erskine, of Turner, scored her second goal of the season in a four-goal, second-half outburst, leading Colby to a 5-0 blanking of Waterville rival Thomas.

The Leavitt Area High School graduate also scored a goal in Colby’s 3-2 loss to NESCAC foe Connecticut College.

Now in her third year with the White Mules, Erskine has been a steady contributor throughout her career. Erskine scored four goals as a freshman, ranking second on the team, and added two assists for 10 total points.

Erskine was fifth on the club in 2010 with three goals.

Her closest trip to home for local fans is Oct. 8 at Bowdoin.

Morrill victories

Freshman Molly Morrill of Litchfield (Oak Hill) couldn’t have been any more efficient in her midweek outing with the University of Southern Maine women’s tennis team.

Morrill celebrated a 6-0, 6-0 singles victory, helping the Huskies pile it on in an 8-1 victory over Thomas.

To date, Morrill owns three singles wins and a pair of doubles triumphs with partner Ali Hartley.

Another first-year player, Lewiston’s Jessica Bowen, tallied the only win for Thomas in the match against USM.

Twice as nice

Auburn’s Kailey Bubier finished what she started for the Southern Maine field hockey team against Salem State.

The Hebron Academy graduate scored a goal in each half, accounting for all the Huskies’ offense in a 2-0 verdict.

USM moved to 6-5 overall and 3-1 in Little East Conference play.

Big win at the Bowl

Not many sports even give Division III programs the opportunity to compete against Division I opponents. Most of the time it wouldn’t be fun or feasible for the smaller colleges and universities.

Cross country often brings those different worlds together, though, and it’s never a complete shock when the little guys thrive.

Such was the case at the Codfish Bowl on Sept. 24. Bates traveled to the annual showcase at Franklin Park in Boston and stole the show.

The Bobcats won the men’s race, topping a 26-team field that included runner-up Boston University. Bates placed three runners in the top 10 — sophomore Tully Hannan (sixth), senior Devin Dilts (seventh) and sophomore Mike Martin (10th).

Bates’ women also enjoyed a terrific day, finishing fourth overall and second in the D3 ranks. Alicia Fannon was best for the Bobcats in 13th.

One day, two benchmarks

Longevity and loyalty were rewarded with a double milestone this past week at Colby.

Men’s soccer coach Mark Serdjenian directed his 500th game, and the ensuing 4-0 win over Southern Maine doubled as his 250th career victory.

Serdjenian graduated from the school in 1973 and took over the program shortly thereafter. Now in his 36th season, Serdjenian sports an overall mark of 250-207-43.

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