Nov. 13, 2009

Box Score

Stonehill Athletics: NCAA Field Hockey Championship Central

CBS Sports: Video Highlights

Photo Gallery: UMass Lowell 2, Stonehill 1 (NCAA Semifinal)

Junior forward and Northeast-10 Player of the Year Sammy Macy (Tewksbury, MA) shot a rocket from the middle of the circle to break a 1-1 tie with 1:46 remaining in regulation to lift the #3 seed UMass Lowell River Hawks to victory in the North Region Semifinal of the NCAA Division II Field Hockey Tournament, in front of a crowd of 1,143.

With the victory, the River Hawks will advance to the National Title game for the third consecutive year, fifth overall, and are looking for their first National Championship since 2005.

UMass Lowell takes on top overall seed, back-to-back-to-back, defending National Champion, Bloomsburg University out of the South Region, on Sunday at 1:00 p.m. The title game will be played at Stonehill's W.B. Mason Stadium in Easton.

The River Hawks overcame an early deficit, as the Skyhawks struck first. Sophomore forward Kathryn Nelson (Shrewsbury, MA) netted the game's first goal, giving Stonehill the 1-0 lead in the 21st minute of play (20:14). The River Hawks lost possession near the 25-yard line and Stonehill's Lindsey Pinkham (Skowhegan, ME) was able to carry the ball into the circle before finding Nelson for the tally.

Stonehill held onto its lead through the end of the first, while the teams had an even three shots apiece. UMass Lowell received a pair of yellow cards in the first half, rolling over into the second, but were able to stave off their opponent through the disadvantage.

Through the beginning of the second half, UMass Lowell was still down a player. That didn't deter senior co-captain Jaci Moulton (Baldwinville, MA), though, as she knotted the game at one in the 42nd minute of play (41:45). Moulton grabbed her own rebound off an initial shot on a penalty corner and smacked the ball in through the far corner for her ninth goal of the year.

With just over five minutes remaining in regulation, Stonehill received a yellow card and went down a player. While the clock wound down, Macy capitalized on the advantage and scored a rocket from the center of the circle for her 24th goal of the year, the game-winner.

The River Hawks outshot Stonehill 9-3 in the second half, holding the 13-7 advantage in the game. UMass Lowell goalkeeper Amy Carbon (Bellingham, MA) made five saves on the evening, allowing one goal, while Stonehill's Courtney Osier (South Dennis, MA) let in two and stopped three shots.  With the victory, the River Hawks improve to 18-5 on the year, while Stonehill finishes its season at 17-5.

The National Championship game can be watched live via www.ncaa.com. Admission for the games at W.B. Mason Stadium will be $7.00 for adults, $4.00 for students and senior citizens and $1.00 for children ages 2-12. All calls regarding tickets should be made to (508) 565-1384.

Jaci Moulton (10), Jaime Hadley (6), Sammy Macy (17) and Annie Hansbury (19) celebrate the River Hawks' victory at W.B. Mason Stadium on Friday night. Photo credit: Matt Bagdovitz