Kelly McManus Named to All Region Team

Senior midfielder Kelly McManus was included on the 2011 Longstreth/FHCA Division III All-Region Teams announced by the National Field Hockey Coaches Association, her first career postseason award. McManus was named to the Second Team in the New England West Region.

A natural team leader and tough competitor, McManus (Plymouth, N.H.) recorded a pair of assists in addition to one defensive save in the 2011 season. Over her four years on the Bates field hockey team, she accumulated three goals and 14 assists with two defensive saves. She served as team captain alongside senior Sarah Merullo (Essex, Mass.).  McManus is also a three-year member of the Bates softball team.

Her never-give-up attitude carried the team and allowed them to be optimistic, even in the toughest of situations. In conjunction with her obvious skill, her character is what makes her a superior athlete. Her passion and desire to win is almost tangible when watching her play. The fact that she can often be seen diving for loose balls can attest to how hard she works for her team.

To teammates, Kelly is the type of leader that will always bring out the best in someone. She has a remarkable ability that can't be taught - the ability to  inspire people. 

"It's easy for me say that Kelly was considered the backbone of the team. Her graduating will leave a significant void in our team but everything she has taught us about determination and attitude will always remain with us." -Bridget Meedzan '14 (Ipswich, Mass.)

"Kelly never failed to motivate me on and off the field whether it was running the last 100 in practice or making a recovery run in the game. She's a champion when it comes to stick work and selfless play, which made her critical to our team's success." -Kate Pagano '14 (Worcester, Mass.)

Bobcats finish 2011 Season With A 1-0 Win Over Mules!

The seniors were all smiles following the win!

Bates Field Hockey finished up the 2011 season with an exciting victory at Colby College. Wednesday, October 26, the Bobcats traveled to Bill Alfond Field in Waterville, Maine, ready to defeat the Mules and end the season with a NESCAC win.  Saddened by the idea that this would be their last game of the season, but determined and ready to leave it all on the field, the Bobcats came out firing with several breakaways and scoring attempts.  Right away they put strong pressure on the Mules, in both the offensive and defensive circle.  The practice and hard work put into this season was clearly shown when the Bobcats came together for some beautiful passing combinations within the first twenty minutes.

Despite several attempts Bates was unable to score first half, but certainly did not give up.  With 30:58 left in the second half, Sophomore Polly Merck (Beverly, Mass) netted the game-winning goal. In a scramble in front of the net, Merck got a stick on the ball and reverse shot it past the Colby Goalkeeper. Bates Goalkeeper Sophomore Becca Otley (Falmouth, Maine) recorded her third shutout of the season with a total of seven saves. This was Otley’s first return to action after missing the previous two and a half games due to injury. 

Finishing their careers on a winning note were Bates seniors Lyndsay Beaton (West Newbury, Mass.), Amanda Brusca (Beverly, Mass), Mackenzie Ross (North Yarmouth, Maine), and co-captains Kelly Mcmanus (Plymouth, New Hampshire) and Sarah Merullo (Essex, Mass.). All five demonstrated great leadership the entire season, and their fire and intensity set the tone for the rest of the team. We will certainly miss them next season.

Overall, it was an exciting day for the Bobcats! The victory was a great way to wrap up the 2011 season and set the tone for next year! 

Fall Break Trip to “The Gaunlet” Hayride

On a cool October evening during Fall Break, the Bobcats ventured over to Harvest Hill Farms in Mechanic Falls for a night full of monsters, ghouls, goblins, and more.

Harvest Hill is a family owned and operated farm that is home to the Gauntlet night ride, an annual hayride through the Deep woods of route 26. After waiting in line they finally boarded their own personal team wagon, and waited in anticipation to enter through Gates of the Gauntlet into the darkness. They were soon greeted by the “Lady in White,” the legendary ghost of Route 26 who was said to have been murdered on her wedding night long ago, and who’s spirit often roams the woods looking for a ride to the wedding chapel. As they continued their ride deep into the forest they came across more ghosts, clowns, and their favorite “The Headless Horseman.” 

Overall the ride was certainly thrilling and definitely had some Bobcats jumping out of their seats! I think they will definitely return next year for some Halloween fun. Before they left they stopped to take a team picture in front of the giant Pumpkin entrance.

Video footage from the Dempsey Challenge

Team Exergy Twenty12 is a professional women's cycling team that participated in the Dempsey Challenge and they produced this video clip about their experience. I hope that you all enjoy it!

Exergy TWENTY12 rides and supports The Dempsey Challenge from Exergy TWENTY12 on Vimeo.

The Dempsey Challenge Day

On an absolutely beautiful fall Sunday, more reminiscent of late August than mid-October, the team once again took up their post three miles from the finish of the Dempsey Challenge bike route. The Cheer Station that was such a big hit last fall torqued it up another notch this year, with some pre-planned cheers and decorated by our fancy new sign (thanks to the Newtons!)

While Suzy and I were out on the course, we kept the team apprised of a certain individual's whereabouts. After trying to hang with the group of women that included Connie Carpenter-Phinney,who won 12 national titles and four world championship medals as well as gold in the 1984 Olympics, Odessa Gunn former professional rider and Levi Leipheimer's wife, as well as Coryn Rivera and Kristin McGrath of the Peanut Butter & Co. TWENTY12 women’s professional cycling team(which we did for a few miles), we had stopped at the second rest stop to hydrate and refuel.

While we are there, a number of lead vehicles came through followed by a group of riders that included 2008 Olympic bronze medalist Levi Leiphiemer, Tom Danielson the top-ranked American rider at the 2011 Tour de France, Davis Phinney who claimed the first victory by an American in a Tour de France stage and won bronze in the 1984 Olympics among others! Who could be in the "others" category you may ask? Well, perhaps the most famous Lewiston area native, one fabulously (mc)dreamy Patrick Dempsey. Granted, I do not have a lot of experience with t.v. and movie stars but I will say that this man is special. Not only due to the fact that he established The Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope and Healing in honor of his mother who is a survivor- which should be enough, but watching him navigate the crowds of admiring fans. He seemed to have time for everyone, a photo op, an autograph and handshake and always making eye contact with everyone he spoke to. I wanted to ask him if he would please stop at mile 47 and as I approached he broke into a big smile and exclaimed,"Bates! Your team is out here somewhere." "Well, yes, yes they are and if you could stop at their Cheer station, it would mean the world to them" I managed and then Suzy and I did the requisite photo with him...the first in my adult life where my eyes are closed...awesome. Anyway, I sent a photo to the team to let them know where he was and we got back on our bikes.

Fast forward 20 miles and Suzy and I arrive at mile marker 47- The Bobcat Zone. Team is in high gear.
We know that based on his pace, Patrick is at least an hour behind us, and I am not sure that we are going to wait to see if he stops. But of course we do, wrapped up in watching the team cheer on the bikers coming through and equally enamored of the bikers reactions to being cheered for. Finally, a motorcycle pulls ups and the man tells the group that Patrick is about 5 minutes behind and gives a description of what he is wearing and tells them that he "might"stop. The electricity is palpable and each biker that crested the hill was carefully scrutinized. Finally, a veritable peloton comes into view- this is it. Will he stop???

Bobcats bite Huskies!

Kundtz, Brady lead field hockey to 4-3 win at Southern Maine




The Bobcats got back on the winning track behind the strong offensive output of the junior duo Riley Kundtz (Chagrin Falls, Ohio)and Michelle Brady (Milton, Mass.) Kundzt scored two goals and added an assist, while Brady added a goal and an assist.

Tuesday afternoon was a picture perfect fall day and the Bobcats arrived in Gorham ready to play on USM's newly finished field turf, Hannaford Field. Bates jumped all over USM in the first half putting pressure on early and often. Bates found the back of the net 12 minutes into the half when senior co-captain Kelly McManus (Plymouth, NH) carried the ball in from the 25 on the right side of the field and rifled the ball across the goal where Kundtz was waiting on the far post to redirect the ball into the goal.

Just over five minutes later, Bates grabbed a 2-0 lead when Brady knocked the ball into the net following an offensive flurry.

USM got on the board in the 24th minute as Huskies junior forward, Kailey Bubier scored an unassisted goal off of play from a free hit from just outside the 25 yard line. Bates returned the favor and grabbed a two goal lead by scoring their third goal of the half when sophomore Bridget Meedzan (Ipswich, Mass.) finished off a penalty corner. Kundtz inserted the ball to the top, it was received by senior Lyndsay Beaton(West Newbury, Mass.) who slipped it right onto McManus's stick. McManus shot for the far post, Kundz redirected it across the goal and Meedzan finished it of from the right post.

Looking a bit complacent coming out of half-time, USM pulled the within one-goal when they jumped on a ball in the circle just 1:37 seconds into the half to cut the Bobcat's lead to one.

Although, Bates rebounded to take control of play for the next 20 minutes, despite good looking chances, they were unable to score until Kundtz scored what would prove to be the game-winner in the 54th minute. Kundtz's second goal of the game came when Brady took a shot that rebounded to the left side of the circle, Kundtz was able to collect it and bury it.

USM would not go silently and Bubier pulled USM to within 4-3 of the Bobcats in the 62nd minute with her second goal of the game. Keeping it exciting to the end, Bates allowed USM to earn a corner with time running down. With no time on the clock, Bates successfully defending four corners, before closing out the game once and for all.


Bates sophomore goalkeeper Becca Otley (Cumberland, Maine) made six saves for the win while USM sophomore Kayla Kennedy was kept busy turning back 13 shots.

The Bobcats will be back in action, on the road at Connecticut College on Saturday at 11 a.m. and then at home with Tufts on Sunday at noon. Check out the video coverage on Sunday at: Bates Field Hockey Webcast

STATS: Bates 4, Southern Maine 3

Dempsey Challenge Teaser

Who could that be in the approaching peleton?????