Sept. 25, 2010

Box Score

Sophomore Keanna Santos (Lakeville, Mass.) scored two goals while sophomore M Jenna Costa (Attleboro, Mass.) had a hand in the first two as UMass Lowell stormed to a 5-1 victory over Southern New Hampshire University, 5-1, Saturday in a Northeast-10 Conference women's soccer clash at Cushing Field.

Monteiro: 'We made the most of our opportunities'

With the victory, the River Hawks improved to 3-4-1 overall and 3-3-0 in the NE-10 entering next Saturday's match at Franklin Pierce (2:00). The loss spoiled a three-match unbeaten run for the Penmen, who slipped to 4-3-0 overall and 3-3-0 in the Conference.

Santos' goals were the second and third in her last two matches. She also scored the winner in last Tuesday's 1-0 win at American International.

UMass Lowell attacked early and nearly opened the scoring in the 11th minute when a header by senior F Brianne Bozzella (Wilmington, Mass.) caromed off the bar. Santos was there for the rebound, however, but was denied by SNHU defender Danielle Courtemanche (Glastonbury, Conn.) on the line.

UMass Lowell's pressure paid off with two goals in the first half in rapid succession. Santos scored the first goal - her second in as many matches - when Costa crossed from the left side to Santos, who settled and slotted from the right side of the box inside the left post.

The River Hawks doubled their lead in the 17th minute when sophomore Amy Cramer (Marlboro, Mass.) launched a corner kick to the head of Costa, whose header was saved by SNHU goalkeeper Maggie Weldon (Manchester, N.H.). Bozzella was there for the rebound, however, which she tucked home from inside the six-yard box.

The River Hawks continued their persistence in the second half and notched goals in the 54th and 58th minutes. UMass Lowell took a 3-0 lead when junior D Hannah Merullo (Wakefield, Mass.) launched a free kick from the left flank which freshman Sarah Raye (Salem, N.H.) followed from the right side and volleyed off a bounce inside the six-yard box.

Santos scored her second in the 58th when senior M Ella Merullo (Wakefield, Mass.) sent a cross from the left side which Santos headed home into the top left corner.

Junior M Maddy Bissaillon (Merrimac, Mass.) completed the scoring in the 70th off of nice work by sophomores Colleen Soper (Auburn, Mass.) and Taylor Hartmann (Feeding Hills, Mass.). On the right flank, Hartmann played the ball to Soper in the box who touched to an oncoming Bissaillon, who slotted inside the left post.

Southern New Hampshire pulled a goal back in the 87th when a player was felled in the box. Graduate Alyssa Thayer (Hooksett, N.H.) stepped up and tucked the penalty kick into the low left corner.

UMass Lowell outshot the Penmen, 16-10 overall and 12-5 on target. Freshman Micaela Butlin (Milton, Mass.) stopped four shots while Weldon and freshman GK Samantha Whittier (Sutton, Mass.) combined for five saves.