Maine Central Institute field hockey coach Nancy Hughes wasn’t particularly discouraged when her team got off to a slow start this season.

She knew the Huskies had plenty of talent and they were physically and mentally prepared for a third straight trip to the state championship game. This one, though, was a little more difficult. After going to two straight Class C state title games, winning in 2015, the Huskies jumped to Class B this season.

And by the time they reached the final they were decided underdogs against three-time defending state champion York.

“There was a sense of nerves but not a lack of confidence,” Hughes said. “York is a good program but we are, too.”

The Huskies defeated Gardiner 3-0 in the regional final and carried the confidence into the state championship game where they overwhelmed York 5-0.

For her efforts Hughes has been selected Morning Sentinel Field Hockey Coach of the Year.

Hughes brings a wealth of experience to the game, having coached the Huskies twice in the past before beginning her current 1-year stint. She played field hockey at MCI and later for Sally LaPointe at Bowdoin College.

“I always thought of Sally LaPointe as being so wise and having so much field hockey knowledge,” Hughes said.

Hughes and her staff which includes her husband Greg, daughter Meghan and Amanda Riendeau, have established a winning culture at MCI build on strength and conditioning, fundamental skills and team play. At the same time she hasn’t lost perspective.

“I teach (English) and coach for kids,” she said. “I don’t do it for adults. The field is an extension of the classroom.”

Strength and conditioning has been a point of emphasis for Hughes and her staff recently.

“We really kicked in with strength training two years ago,” she said, adding the team trains with the school’s strength coach. “The girls eat it up.”

Conditioning on day one of preseason with a variety of aerobic exercises and lots of running.

“We set the tone we were going to condition hard,” Hughes said. “We did a little bit of everything.”

The preseason work paid off as the year progressed as did the work many team members put in playing in the off-season. It helped Hughes said that she had several three and four-year starters on this year’s squad. Despite some graduation losses she expects the team to continue succeeding.

“We’re going to keep doing what we’re doing,” she said. “We set the bar high now and we want to keep reaching that bar.

“It’s completely a team, effort. There’s a lot that goes on behind the scene.”