Box Score

Senior Emily Painten (Walpole, Mass.) scored the lone UMass Lowell goal as the field hockey team dropped an overtime decision at Millersville University, 2-1, on Saturday afternoon.

“It was a hard fought loss,” said head coach Shannon Hlebichuk. “We showed a lot of heart and character today. We'll learn from this loss and use it to prepare for Northeast-10 competition starting this week.”

The third-ranked River Hawks (1-1) will return to New England for their 2012 home opener on Wednesday as they host Saint Michael's College at 6 p.m. Millersville stays at home for Thursday's showdown with #4 Shippensburg at 4 p.m.

The Marauders scored the game's first goal in the ninth minute. Junior goalkeeper Melanie Hopkins (Harwich, Mass.) turned away Emily Litchford's (Dover, Del.) shot, but couldn't control the rebound allowing Katelyn Zapp (Camp Hill, Pa.) to knock in the loose ball.

Both defenses proved stifling in the opening 35 minutes, limiting the game to five total shots on goal (3-2, Millersville) and five penalty corners (3-2, Millersville).

The River Hawks' luck changed in the second half as Painten evened the score in the 44^th minute. Painten had a shot saved by goalkeeper Lauren Sotzin (Harrisburg, Pa.), but won the loose ball and punched in the rebound.

The two teams battled into overtime, where Millersville finally snapped the tie. Awarded a penalty corner in the 85^th minute, Sarah Bomberger (Elm, Pa.) sent the ball in to Kristen Dively (Enola, Pa.) for the score.

Hopkins was strong in the net, making a game-high seven saves despite taking her first loss of the season (1-1). Overall, UMass Lowell trailed in shots on goal (6-9) and penalty corners (6-7).