BY GARY HAWKINS

Staff Writer

The University of Maine at Farmington field hockey roster generously lists Kashley Weymouth’s height at 5 feet, 4 inches.

“I’m 5-2 1/2, Weymouth said. “I don’t think height really matters that much in field hockey.”

Weymouth was plenty tall enough to help Gardiner Area High School to a Class B state championship her senior year. Now a junior, she’s brought the same aggressive play to the UMF lineup.

“She never gives up,” UMF coach Cyndi Pratt said. “She’s very tenacious. If I was playing against her, she would drive me crazy.”

Advertisement

Weymouth had some knee problems her freshman year but came on strong last season, playing mostly right wing. She finished with two goals and five assists and will be counted upon for more with the graduation of a couple of scorers.

“She really had a great year coming into the season as an unknown,” Pratt said. “This year expectations are a little higher.”

Weymouth scored 19 goals, including one in the state championship game, and added 17 assists her senior year at Gardiner. She was named a first-team all star in the Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference, and has found that her collegiate opponents are like playing on a high school all-star team every game. In high school, each team had two or three good players, but in college everyone can play.

“People are just more aggressive and just aren’t afraid,” Weymouth said.

Pratt has guided the Beavers to three North Atlantic Conference championships in the past eight years and although the team was picked fourth in a preseason poll, she pointed out Husson was seeded fifth in last year’s tournament and won it.

“This is a very well-balanced conference,” Pratt said. “It’s going to take someone stepping up (for us) to take that role as a dominating scorer.”

Advertisement

Weymouth chose Farmington because of its elementary education program. A dean’s list student, she’d like to teach younger grades after she graduates. She also enjoys the intimacy of a small campus where it seems everyone knows everyone else.

“I love the atmosphere,” she said. “I’m very happy.”

A conference title would make Weymouth even happier.

“I feel like it’s going to be a good year for us,” she said. “This is one of the most solid programs here for sports.”

Gary Hawkins — 621-5638

ghawkins@centralmaine.com


Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.

Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.