Nov. 2, 2008

LOWELL, MA – Senior M Grace Larsen (Newburyport, MA) scored in overtime and junior goalkeeper Jamie Gillis (North Billerica, MA) was sterling in her seventh shutout of the year as No. 6 UMass Lowell defeated No. 3 Merrimack, 1-0, in overtime Sunday afternoon in the Northeast-10 Conference Women’s Soccer Tournament in North Andover, MA.

The victory was UMass Lowell’s first-ever in four appearances in the NE-10 Tournament, as it improves to 8-4-5. The River Hawks visit No. 2 Saint Rose Thursday at 2:00 at the Albany Academy East Campus.

Saint Rose was a 1-0 winner over No. 7 New Haven Sunday. Merrimack slipped to 12-4-2 and awaits NCAA Tournament pairings Monday, Nov. 10.

Gillis, named the NE-10 Goalkeeper of the Year Friday, stopped nine shots and earned the 24th clean sheet of her career, a perpetual school record. Gillis had seven of her saves in the second half (five) and overtime (two).

Larsen scored the winner in the 100th minute when senior M Margaret Gonsalves (Fall River, MA) played a ball to freshman M Maddy Bissaillon (Merrimac, MA), whose header fell to Larsen at the top of the box.

Larsen volleyed a blast which soared inside the top left corner of the goal, past the reach of Merrimack goalkeeper Shannon Rowan.

Merrimack outshot the River Hawks 13-10 overall and 9-5 on target. Rowan had four saves for the Warriors.

Northeast-10 Conference Tournament
UMass Lowell 1, Merrimack 0
At North Andover, MA

Goalkeepers
Jamie Gillis (UML): 9 saves, 99:00
Shannon Rowan (MER): 4 saves, 99:00