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Alex Laniewski

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Caitlyn Butterfield

Gorham's Caitlyn Butterfield never had played in a losing soccer program, and when she started looking at colleges, she didn't plan on being part of one.

It didn't take her long to find a program that fit that requirement, as well as her career goals: Husson University in Bangor.

"It seemed like a team on the rise; I was looking for a good physical therapy program," she said. "It was a win-win situation."

The Eagles, who have won the last three North Atlantic Conference championships, will play in the title game again Saturday, at Castleton (Vt.) State. Husson (14-5) has made the NCAA playoffs four of the last six years.

Coach Keith Bosley never has had trouble attracting good players because of the school's academic reputation. Now, said Butterfield, "I think our success brings in more people, especially people looking to play soccer."

Butterfield is just one of the five local athletes on the Husson roster. She's joined by classmate Megan Clement, a forward from Brunswick, sophomore Alex Laniewski of Scarborough (who transferred from Vermont), and freshmen Megan Latour of Brunswick (Lisbon High) and Emily Zurcher of Topsham (Mt. Ararat).

Laniewski is the second-leading scorer (11 goals and four assists) while Clement (seven goals, three assists) scored two goals last weekend to lift the Eagles past Maine Maritime 3-0 in the semifinals. Zurcher has played in 17 games for the Eagles and Latour has two goals. Butterfield, a starter since her freshman year, is the defensive leader.

"She's at the center of our defense and has been since the first varsity game she played here," said Bosley. "She has exceptional abilities."

Laniewski, whose speed has added another dimension to the Eagles' offense ("You hit her on the wing and she can beat just about anyone out there," said Butterfield), transferred for several reasons, including the tuition increase at Vermont. She wasn't on scholarship, so she looked for a school with a strong physical therapy program and a good soccer program.

"I like it here because no one's on scholarship and you have to work hard all the time," she said. "The atmosphere here is very positive."

Bosley said he likes recruiting players in southern Maine because "a lot of times those players are more mature as soccer players because they've had a greater opportunity to play more games."

The women's soccer program isn't the only one dipping into the local talent pool with success. The men's soccer team will play for the NAC championship this weekend with sophomore Tyler Metevier of Kittery (Traip Academy) playing a key role. He had the winning goal in the semifinals, and has eight goals and two assists on the season.

CROSS COUNTRY

Keene (N.H.) State junior Allison Chamberlain of Scarborough was named the Little East Conference women's Runner of the Week. Chamberlain finished second overall in the 13th annual New England Alliance Championships. She ran the 5-kilometer course in 18:47 to become the LEC champion.

FOOTBALL

Nichols College sophomore quarterback Sean Smith-Vaughan of Cumberland was recently named to the New England Football Conference honor roll after throwing three touchdowns in a 31-24 win over Salve Regina.

• Husson sophomore defensive lineman Chris Dalecki of Eliot (Marshwood) was recently named the Eastern Collegiate Football Conference Defensive Player of the Week. Dalecki had 7.5 tackles, including three sacks, in a 35-20 victory against Castleton.

GOLF

UMaine-Farmington junior Rich Matthews of Portland helped the Beavers to a third-place finish in the recent North Atlantic Conference championships. Matthews played in all 10 competitions for the Beavers and was the team's top finisher in three.

FIELD HOCKEY

Bentley University senior Courtney Bartlett of Brunswick (St. Mark's School) is...