Six area graduates compete in NCAA Div. III field hockey tourney

A half dozen former Foxcroft Academy and Dexter Regional High School field hockey stars helped their college teams reach the 2015 NCAA Div. III field hockey tournament, with five playing for Husson University in Bangor and one former Pony continuing her field hockey career at Simmons College in Boston.

Left: Libby Kain

Middle: Abigail Simmons

Right: Amber Anderson

Left: Lindsey Arno

Middle: Whitney Arno

Right: Gabi Henderson

For the second year in a row the Husson field hockey squad won the North Atlantic Conference (NAC) Championship. As the league’s top team, the Eagles qualified for NCAA play for the second year in a row and fifth time since 2009. In the first round on Nov. 11 Husson fell at Keene (New Hampshire) State College 1-0, finishing at 8-10 (4-1 in NAC play).

Husson junior midfield Libby Kain, of Dexter and a graduate of Dexter Regional High School, tied for the team lead with four goals. Kain, who played in all 18 of the Eagles’ games, added two assists and had 36 shots with 25 on goal.

Kain was selected for the NAC All-Tournament Team as she helped her team claim the league title. Kain is the daughter of Anita Libby-Kain and Donald Kain and is a psychology major.

Freshman defender Abigail Simmons, of Charleston and a graduate of Foxcroft Academy, was also named to the NAC All-Tournament Team. Simmons’ play in helping the Eagles give up just one goal in the conference tourney earned her NAC Field Hockey Rookie of the Week honors earlier in the month. Simmons played in 14 games in 2015 and she is a nursing major.

Sophomore midfield Amber Anderson, of Dover-Foxcroft and a Foxcroft Academy grad, appeared in 11 games for Husson, recording three shots with one on goal. Anderson is the daughter of Scott and Sheva Anderson and is majoring in nursing.

Junior midfield Lindsey Arno, of Dover-Foxcroft and a Foxcroft Academy graduate, played in 14 games for Husson. Arno is majoring in occupational therapy.

Junior defender Whitney Arno, of Dover-Foxcroft and a Foxcroft Academy grad, also appeared in 14 games for the Eagles. Arno is the daughter of Scott Arno and Dawnelle Arno, and she is majoring in nursing.

Simmons College junior forward Gabi Henderson, a Dover-Foxcroft resident and Foxcroft Academy graduate, helped her team reach the NCAA tourney. Simmons won the Great Northeast Atlantic Conference (GNAC) Championship for the second season in a row to earn the tournament bid.

The Sharks fell at State University of New York-New Paltz 1-0 in a first round contest, finishing at 14-5 (5-1 in GNAC play). The 14 wins for the Simmons field hockey team tied a school record.

Henderson played in 13 games for the Sharks, picking up one assist while recording 16 shots with 12 on goal. She is the daughter of Mirna Reyes-Henderson and John Henderson, and is a biochemistry/pre-med major.