FARMINGTON – The two-time defending North Atlantic Conference champion University of Maine at Farmington women’s basketball team is set to open its season on Nov. 17-18 with the Webber Energy Tip-Off Tournament at Dearborn Gymnasium.

The tournament opens with Southern Maine vs. Emerson at 5:30 p.m. and Farmington vs. the University of Maine at Presque Isle at 7:30 a.m. on Nov. 17. Action continues on Nov. 18 with the consolation game at 1 p.m. and the title game at 3 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for students an senior citizens. Children under age 6 and UMF students are admitted for free.

Farmington was named the favorite to win the North Atlantic Conference, according to the NAC's preseason coaches poll that was released on Monday. Preseason poll results

The Beavers return three starters from a team that finished 25-4 in reached the NCAA Tournament last season, but miss two major pieces in all-time leading scorer and rebounder 6-0 forward Kari Simpson and all-time leader in assists 5-6 guard Karen Sirois. Simpson (15.6 ppg, 8.4 rpg), Sirois (11.9 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 4.7 apg) and 5-5 guard Megan Boyd graduated in May of 2007.

Farmington head coach Jamie Beaudoin believes this season’s edition of the Beavers will once again contend for in the NAC, but the squad could find tough travels against a rigid non-conference docket, including in-state foes Bowdoin College, Bates College, Colby College and the University of Southern Maine.

“The last four years were the best stretch ever here,” said Beaudoin, who is in his eighth season in Farmington. “Obviously, Kari and Karen had a lot to do with that. I think we should still be competing for a conference championship, but I think there will be a lot of parity in the conference this season. We’ve been very close to competing with the top teams in New England, but it will be more difficult against those teams this season.”

Coming off Maine and New England Rookie of the Year campaign, 5-10 sophomore forward Caitlyn Laflin (Farmingdale, ME) leads the Beavers into this season. A NAC First Team choice last season, Laflin averaged 14.2 points and a team-high 6.2 rebounds per game.

The Beavers are captained by a returning trio in 6-0 senior forward Erin Johnson (Bailey Island, ME), 5-6 junior guard Amanda Byrne (Winslow, ME) and 5-3 junior guard Samantha Wiley (Lincolnville, ME). Beaudoin is looking for an impact year out of Johnson (4.7 ppg, 4.6 rpg) with Byrne (4.7 ppg) – a pressuring defender – and Wiley (3.0 ppg) be looked upon for increased contributions on offense.

Returning starter 5-7 junior guard Erin Porter (Bangor, ME) comes back after averaging 6.0 ppg and 4.0 rpg along with classmate 5-8 Shannon Brown (Windham, ME) and 5-6 sophomore Whitney Page (Sorrento, ME).

A group of upperclassmen newcomers are featured for Farmington including senior 5-9 volleyball player Meagan Dube (Lewiston, ME) and cross country runners 5-6 senior Brittany Davis (Saco, ME) and 5-4 junior Lyn Plog (Avon, ME).

Farmington’s freshman class includes 5-7 guard Elizabeth Bell (Waterville, ME), 5-8 guard Ashley Busque (Belgrade, ME), 5-10 forward Brittany York (Strong, ME), 5-8 forward Jillian Ross (Belfast, ME) and 5-7 Sarah Brown (Windham, ME).

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