Messalonskee High School of Oakland junior field hockey center back Lydia Dexter, who anchored a defense that allowed just two goals in 14 regular season games, has verbally committed to attend the University of Maine.
Dexter, who also plays basketball and lacrosse, is the youngest of four children from an athletic family that includes siblings Hannah, Sam and Jake Dexter, who were all multi-sport standouts at Messalonskee.
“I’m very excited,” said Lydia Dexter. “I really wanted to play field hockey at the highest level, and I’m really glad to do it at a great program close to home.”
She won’t receive a scholarship in her first season, but she said there is a possibility that she could earn some scholarship money later in her career.
The 16-year-old Dexter said she talked to some other schools, but there were a lot of factors in UMaine’s favor.
“I really liked the coaches. I like the campus, I always have. I couldn’t think of any reason not to go there,” said Dexter, who is the daughter of Colby College assistant football and baseball coach Tom Dexter and Lawrence High School of Fairfield physical education teacher Sarah Dexter.
She said her older siblings have been instrumental in her success.
“They have really set the example for me,” she said. “They showed me that you have to train and prepare for every season.”
Lydia Dexter also plays for the prestigious Maine Majestix club team based in Waterville.
“We’re really thrilled for her,” said Amy Bernatchez, who coaches the Majestix’s Under-16 team. “She is one of the hardest working kids we have ever had. She is extremely coachable. She is a very strong three-sport athlete.
“She has very good stick skills. She’s a natural defender and makes things look effortless back there. She gets herself out of jams very easily,” she added. “She sees the field so well and makes great passes. She always make the right decision.”
Bernatchez said it will take Dexter a while to adapt to Division I because it is a “huge jump.”
“But I have no doubt she will adapt to their style of play and do what she has to do to be a strong contributor,” she said.
“I have to work on my speed. The Division I level is so much faster. I have to do weight training year-round and work on my stickwork as much as I can,” Dexter said.
Dexter coming to UMaine in fall of 2017 is contingent upon her being accepted into the institution and meeting NCAA eligibility requirements.