AUBURN — After proving herself at the high school level over the past four hockey seasons, Taylor Landry wants to do the same in college.

The Edward Little senior has committed to play hockey at the University of Maine next season, and is excited about the opportunity to see what she can do playing in Division I.

“I really just wanted to push myself at the next level,” Landry said. “I thought about D-III, but D-I, it just seems more like what I wanted because I really wanted to push myself.”

Landry scored 143 goals in her career with Leavitt-Edward Little, and helped lead the Red Hornets to the East regional final two years ago, and the East semifinals last season. She’s also been a standout soccer and lacrosse player at EL.

Since her sophomore year, she has been mulling over college plans, she said. The opportunity to play the Division I level always intrigued her. When the Black Bears expressed interest, and then confirmed they had a place for her, she jumped at the opportunity.

“I wanted to play Division I,” Landry said. “If it didn’t come through, I was going to try to play Division III. I just kept talking with the coaches.”

UMaine could not comment on Landry’s decision, as she has not signed a letter of intent. The next signing period begins April 16. Coaches can not comment on potential players until a letter of intent is signed.

“They told me that I’d go in as an underdog, because obviously I’m a freshman and all that stuff,” Landry said. “They said that if I work consistently hard all the time and push myself to get better then I had potential at that level.”

Landry said her other choice would have been Plymouth State. After mulling over the differences between Division I and Division III, she liked what the highest level had to offer and wanted to challenge herself.

“I know to play at Division I, I would have to work 100 times harder than I would at Division III,” Landry said. “I’m willing to put in that effort. I think it would be the best choice for me.”

UMaine also offers a certain degree of comfort for Landry. Her brother, Travis, is a junior at the Orono campus, and staying in-state keeps her close to home. Landry intends on working toward a nursing degree.

“It feels really good,” Landry said. “My brother goes there too. I won’t be far from my family. It’s not too far from home. It’s really exciting.”

She’s relieved not only to have made the decision, but also that the process is finally completed.

“There was a two week time period from when I talked to UMaine to when they said a spot had opened for me,” Landry said. “When they told me that if I wanted to commit, I could, that was the end of a long two weeks.”

Landry has been such a gifted scorer and talent at the high school level that she made the game look easy at times. She knows trying to earn at spot at the Division I level won’t seem so effortless, but she’s ready to put herself to the test.

“I just plan on going hard every day and push myself to new places and hopefully get a good outcome,” Landry said.

kmills@sunjournal.com

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