Making its first appearance as an NCAA Division I program, the UMass Lowell field hockey team suffered a 3-0 loss to No. 11 Northwestern University Monday afternoon in a non-conference clash at Cushing Field.

UMass Lowell visits Massachusetts Tuesday at 5:00 with a 0-1 record while Northwestern improved to 2-1 and hosts Boston University Saturday at 12:00.

Sophomore M Caroline Troncelliti scored all three goals for the Wildcats.

Northwestern took a 1-0 lead in the ninth minute when sophomore F Kelley Stump crossed in front of the cage to Troncelliti, who poked past senior GK Melanie Hopkins (Harwich, Mass.).

Despite the goal, UMass Lowell had several chances and enjoyed solid spells throughout the half. Freshman M Eleonore Agneessens (Brussels, Belgium) tested NU goalkeeper Maddy Carpenter twice in the final minutes, but was unsuccessful.

The Wildcats held a 6-5 edge on shots, but enjoyed the run of play in the second half, evidenced by an 11-2 edge on shots and 8-1 on corners.

Troncelliti struck again in the 46^th when she finished a cross from freshman M Isabel Flens. She completed the hat trick six minutes later with an unassisted effort when she tucked in a rebound off a shot from senior F Nikki Parsley.

Northwestern outshot UMass Lowell 17-7 overall and 9-5 on target. Hopkins stopped six shots while Carpenter had five saves.