11/12/09

Women's basketball picked second in the NAC

Caitlyn Laflin

FARMINGTON -- The University of Maine at Farmington women's basketball team was chosen second in the North Atlantic Conference Preseason Coaches Poll as announced by the NAC today.

Husson University received all eight first-place votes for 64 points in the poll followed by Farmington (54), Maine Maritime Academy (46), Castleton State College (44), Green Mountain College (23), Johnson State College (23), Lyndon State College (19) and Thomas College (15). Poll

The Beavers return nine players from a team placed second in the NAC a year ago. Farmington finished its season at 15-11 after a 61-59 overtime semifinal loss to eventual NAC champ Castleton.

"Our goal will be to compete for a NAC championship," said 10-year head coach Jamie Beaudoin. "I think we should put ourselves in position to get into the conference tournament. Once you get into the tournament, anything can happen.

Farmington is captained by returning starters senior forward Caitlyn Laflin (Farmingdale, ME) and junior guard Ashley Busque (Belgrade, ME). Laflin -- the 2007-2008 NAC Player of the Year and two-time All-NAC First Team selection -- led the team last season in points (17.1) and rebounds (8.3) per game as well as steals (51), while the versatile Busque was third on the team in scoring (9.8 ppg) with a team-best 33 3-pointers.