The University of Maine women’s soccer team has scored only three goals in its seven America East games.
But the Black Bears have just one loss because the team has surrendered only two goals, thanks to sophomore goalkeeper Claudia Dube-Trempe.
The team will enter the regular season finale against visiting Albany with a 2-1-4 America East record, which has them in fourth place, at 1 p.m. Sunday.
In conference play, the 6-foot Dube-Trempe leads in virtually every category, including goals-against average (0.25), save percentage (.950), shutouts (5) and saves (38). Overall, she has a 4-3-5 record with an 0.71 GAA, an .865 save percentage and seven shutouts.
“I’m really happy with the season,” said Dube-Trempe. “Our back line has helped me out a lot. They have played really well. They have made my job easier.”
Juniors Noelle Leon-Palmer, Addie LaBonte and Joanie L’Abbe and freshman Kendra Ridley have comprised the back line.
Maine coach Scott Atherley said Dube-Trempe is the “best passer” among goalies he has ever coached in his 15 seasons at Maine.
“She’s like having an 11th field player out there,” he said. “She can hit the ball with both feet and with precision. She can put a pass from 45 yards right on a dime.”
Atherley uses her to take free kicks from the Maine half of the field and two of her free kicks have led to goals.
Dube-Trempe had been a center back but, when she was 13, she made the switch to goalkeeper when her team needed one on a fill-in basis.
“I really liked it,” she said. “And I’m a better goalie than a center back, so it has been a good thing for me.”
The Chambly, Quebec, native is aggressive coming off her line and will often race way out of the penalty area to kick a potential through ball to safety.
“I’d rather kick the ball away than face a breakaway,” she said. “I want to help my team and help make the job easier for our defense.”
Dube-Tremple has excellent instincts when it comes to knowing when to race off her line to clear a ball or gather it in, Atherley said.
“She reads and understands the game very well,” he said.
Being 6-feet tall has been an asset, he added.
“She has a great presence. She has long legs and long arms,” Atherley said.
The weight training program at Maine also has been beneficial to Dube-Trempe.
“She has embraced lifting, and it has really improved her upper-body strength, which has really helped her in traffic. She’s able to come out and punch balls high and far,” said Atherley, who feels she can play at the next level if she continues her development.
Dube-Trempe played in just three games during an injury-marred freshman season but came through with two top-notch performances in the playoffs after Lauren Swant was injured.
Dube-Trempe has been nominated as Maine’s selection for America East Fans’ Choice Player of the Year. Voting is under way and runs through noon Tuesday at http://americaeastunlimited.wordpress.com/2014/10/23/vote-for-the-aewsoc-fans-choice-player-of-the-year/.