The University of Maine at Farmington was picked third in the North Atlantic Conference Women's Basketball Preseason Poll, behind Castleton State and Husson. But the Beavers may have as good a chance to win the conference as anybody.

"I think (the NAC) will be extremely balanced," UMF coach Jamie Beaudoin said. "Every team seems to have a majority of people back. We're all trying to get to the top six. I think once you're there, any team can make a run of it."

The Beavers were 12-13 last season, including a 9-5 record in the conference. UMF is 1-0 this season after Saturday's 68-46 victory against UMaine-Presque Isle and returns to action with a road game against the University of Southern Maine at 8 p.m. Friday.

UMF will be led again by Hall-Dale High School graduate Caitlyn Laflin, who easily led the Beavers in scoring last season despite missing the final seven games. Laflin, who is now a mother, averaged 19.1 points and 8.0 rebounds per game and led UMF in field goal percentage and blocked shots.

"Her ability to play and be successful is what's going to make us tick," Beaudoin said. "She will be our go-to player throughout the season. We've got to find a way for her to get touches, because she will make all our other players become much better."

Erin Porter, a 5-foot-8 guard from Bangor, was second in scoring at 8.6 points per game last winter. Other top returners are Messalonskee grad Ashley Busque (7.6 ppg), Winslow grad Amanda Byrne (7.5 ppg, 5.1 assists per game), Belfast's Jillian Ross (5.3 ppg) and Camden Hills grad Samantha Wiley (4.9 ppg).

A key addition for the Beavers is freshman Michelle Paul, a dead-eye 3-point shooter at Mattanawcook. Beaudoin likes that Paul will likely get some open looks, but won't be left alone on the court too often, which will open things up for other players.

"Her ability to shoot the ball is a nice plus to have," Beaudoin said. "Every time she releases it, if you're watching it, you think it's going to go in."

Beaudoin is also pleased with freshman center Paige Saunders, an Ellsworth grad, and Guilford native Jillian Martell. Freshman Alyssa Neptune, a Maranacook grad, is still recovering from a high school knee injury but has already shown an ability to penetrate.

UMF used 14 players in the win over Presque Isle, and Beaudoin says he doesn't see much of a drop-off between his first and second units.

"If you look at our history, we've tried to play nine or 10 players every game consistently and a minimum of 10 minutes per game in our basic rotation," Beaudoin said.

The one lingering concern is that however many players the Beavers throw out there, they still won't be loaded with size. Saunders is 5-11, and Laflin and Mt. Abram grad Brittany York are 5-10, but that's as tall as it goes.

Still, UMF was able to battle its opponents almost to a draw in the rebounding battle last season. "I think definitely our strength is going to be guard play and perimeter play," Beaudoin said. "We're going to try to push the ball as much as we can, and take advantage of our ability to go deep and shoot the ball."

Matt DiFilippo -- 861-9243

mdifilippo@centralmaine.com