March 31, 2009
Simply looking at the UMass Lowell field hockey team’s win-loss record shows the squad had another outstanding season in 2008. Taking a closer look shows just how dominant the ‘08 season was for the River Hawks.
Led by seventh-year head coach Shannon Hlebichuk the River Hawks went 20-5 overall and won the Northeast-10 regular season title with a 17-1 league record. The regular season title was their second in a row and their third in the last six years. They reached the NCAA championship match for the second straight year and the third time in four years. Hlebichuk was named the NE-10 Coach of the Year for the sixth straight season.
The River Hawks set single-season school-records for goals scored (98) and goals allowed per game (1.32). They posted nine shutouts, including five in a row. UML set a school record for consecutive shutout minutes at 406:17. They out-shot their opponents 304-95, an astounding shot differential of +209.
The River Hawks were equally as impressive at both ends of the field. They scored five goals or more 12 times and allowed one goal or less 15 times.
The regular season began in late August with two losses against a very good IUP team. When the River Hawks returned to New England and the calendar flipped to September, they returned to form. They won their next 11 games and 18 of their next 19 during the regular season.
The 11-game winning streak was in impressive display of dominace as they out-scored their opponents 54-9 including a run of five straight shutouts.
After a disappointing setback to Bentley -- 1-0 in penalty strokes -- on October 8, the River Hawks reeled off seven more wins in a row to capture the NE-10 regular season title.
For the second year in a row and third time in the last four years the River Hawks hosted the Northeast-10 tournament as the league’s top seed. But for the first time since 2002 the River Hawks did not win the tournament title. Bentley, who had earlier beaten the River Hawks, once again secured a 1-0 victory to earn the championship. The two teams would meet again.
Despite the loss in the NE-10 championship match, the River Hawks earned a berth in the NCAA tournament for the fifth straight year. UML faced and beat -- 6-3 -- Southern Connecticut in the first round of the NCAA tournament. That set up the third meeting of the season betweeen UMass Lowell and Bentley.
The third time was not a charm for the Falcons as the River Hawks earned a 3-2 win the NCAA semifinals. The win sent UML to the NCAA final for the third time in four years.
But like in 2007, Bloomsburg captured the national championship with a 6-2 victory over UMass Lowell.
The loss in the NCAA title game was disappointing, but doesn’t overshadow what was an oustandings 2008 season.
Individually many players had tremendous seasons for the River Hawks. Sammy Macy set two school scoring records. And senior captains Michelle Harrington and Missy Seeley received multiple post-season honors for their play.
Macy had a breakthrough sophomore season to lead the River Hawks with 28 goals and 64 points. She set new school records for both goal goals and points, breaking Sara Hohenberger’s 2005 single-season records. Macy scored in 15 of 23 games played and had 11 multi-goal games.
Harrington continued her solid play in the midfield and had a career offensive season in 2008. She had 22 points on two goals and 18 assists. Harrington was named the 2008 Northeast-10 Player of the Year and the ECAC Division II Player of the Year.
Missy Seeley became the third straight River Hawk -- joining Kim Villare and Jayne Vagenas -- to be named the NE-10 Defensive Player of the Year. In addition to her terrific defensive play, Seeley had six goals and 13 assists for 25 points.
Jill Tierney scored 11 goals, including two game-winners, during her senior season. She had 24 points while playing in all 25 games.
Fellow seniors Heather Woodward and Sasha Lovejoy also played key roles for the River Hawks. Although she didn’t have a point, Lovejoy was a solid contributor in 14 appearances in 2008. She saw most of her time at forward.
Woodward chipped in with five goals and three assists in 19 games at both midfield and forward. She scored twice in UML’s 4-0 win at St. Anselm (10/22).
Jaci Moulton, the 2007 NE-10 Offensive Player of the Year, was once again an offensive force as a junior. Moulton scored 15 goals and added seven assists for 37 points. She had four multi-goal games and was named the NE-10 Player of the Week on September 22.
Katie Enaire, the 2007 NE-10 Freshman of the Year, finished third on the River Hawks in scoring as a sophomore. Enaire had 14 goals and 3 assists for 31 points.
Fellow sophomores Liz Day and Lizzy Ales each had a solid second seasons. Day had eight goals and four assists for 20 points in 25 games. Ales had three goals and four assists for 10 points in 18 games.
For the second straight year a knee injury knocked Jessica Ellis out of the lineup, this one before the season even started. Depsite not being able to play, Ellis was named a captain of the squad and provided both leadership and inspiration through her hard work and dedication at rehabbing the knee. The hard work paid off as Ellis was able to make the start on Senior Day against Franklin Pierce on October 25.
Juniors Laura Sullivan, Ashley Smith, Kayla LeSage, and sophomore Jamie Hadley all played key roles in UML’s defensive prowess. Each played in all 25 games. Smith had three assists, while Sullivan and Hadley each chipped in with two assists from the back. As a team the River Hawks averaged only 7.6 shots against per game.
A starter in the midfield for the season year in a row Molly Clay had another solid season for the River Hawks. In addition to her play defensively, Clay scored two goals and collected five assists.
Freshmen Abby Auld, Annie Hansbury and Kayla Littig contributed off the bench for UML during their rookie seasons. Auld had four goals while Hansbury and Littig each had one assist.
Senior Danielle Dodier and sophomore Amy Carbon formed the goalkeeping duo for UML in 2008. Carbon made 18 starts and appeared in 23 overall. She was 15-3 with three shutouts. Dodier saw action in 16 games with seven starts. She was 5-2 on the year and allowed one goal or less 13 times, including a six-save shutout win at Bentley (9/10) -- a 2-0 UML win.
Dodier finished her career in Lowell with a 25-6 record.
The championship game loss should not overshadow what was a tremendous year for the River Hawks. And what was a terrific season for the seven members of the senior class.
Collectively the seniors were a part of three NE-10 Tournament championships, three NE-10 regular season titles, and the 2005 NCAA championship. Their teams went 76-15 (59-7 in the NE-10). This class as much as any other has left a championship legacy.
And while they will be missed their legacy will live on in the future. And what a bright future it is.
2008 Post-Season Awards
Northeast-10 Award Winners
Shannon Hlebichuk, Coach of the Year
Michelle Harrington, Player of the Year
Missy Seeley, Defensive Player of the Year
Northeast-10 All-Conference Team
Michelle Harrington, Midfielder, First Team
Missy Seeley, Midfielder, First Team
Laura Sullivan, Defender, First Team
Sammy Macy, Forward, First Team
Jaci Moulton, Forward, First Team
Molly Clay, Midfielder, Second Team
Ashley Smith, Defender, Second Team
Annie Hansbury, Defender, Rookie
Northeast-10 All-Tournament
Amy Carbon, Goalkeeper
Jaci Moulton, Forward
NFHCA All-Americans
Michelle Harrington, Midfielder, First Team
Missy Seeley, Midfielder, First Team
Sammy Macy, Forward, First Team
Laura Sullivan, Defender, Second Team
NFHCA Senior All-Stars
Michelle Harrington, Midfielder
Missy Seeley, Midfielder
Jill Tierney, Forward
Dita/NFHCA Region
Shannon Hlebichuk, North Region Coach of the Year
ECAC Award Winners
Michelle Harrington, Division II Player of the Year
ECAC All-Stars
Michelle Harrington, Midfielder
Missy Seeley, Midfielder
Sammy Macy, Forward
Laura Sullivan, Defender
Womensfieldhockey.com All-Americans
Michelle Harrington, Midfielder, First Team
Missy Seeley, Midfielder, First Team
Sammy Macy, Forward, First Team
Laura Sullivan, Defender, First Team
Jaci Moulton, Forward, Second Team
Annie Hansbury, Defender, Rookie
NCAA All-Tournament
Missy Seeley, Midfielder
Michelle Harrington, Midfielder
Ashley Smith, Defender
