Friday, October 17 vs. No. 20 Maine (6 p.m.)
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Sunday, October 19 vs. Dartmouth (1 p.m.)
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LOWELL, Mass. – The UMass Lowell field hockey team continues a four-game homestand this weekend. The team will host America East Conference opponent, No. 20 Maine, on Friday, October 17 in a 6 p.m. tilt before welcoming Dartmouth College to Wicked Blue Field on Sunday, October 19 at 1 p.m.
 
River Hawk Review
UMass Lowell enters this week's contests with a 4-9 overall record, including a 0-2 mark in America East play. Last week, the River Hawks fell, 1-0, at Vermont, in addition to facing a 2-0 setback at home against Bucknell.
 
Flying High
Senior Bianca Jones (Watertown, Mass.) paces the River Hawks with nine goals, including three game-winners, for 18 total points. Sophomore Georgia Cowderoy (Ashmore, Queensland, Australia) has added to the offensive effort with two goals and three assists for seven points, while classmate Eleonore Agneessens (Brussels, Belgium) and freshman Christa Doiron (Worcester, Mass.) follow with five points apiece. Freshman Fiona Fitzgerald (Lexington, Mass.) has tallied two goals for four points, as well. Freshman goalkeeper Kelsey Federico (Windham, N.H.) has anchored the backfield with one shutout and 82 saves for a .719 save percentage.
 
Scouting Maine
The Black Bears, who own an 8-6 overall record and a 2-0 conference mark, come to Wicked Blue Field riding a six-game winning streak, as their last loss came on September 26 against Providence. The team defeated Fairfield (3-1) and Yale (4-0) last week to move into the national rankings at No. 20. The Maine offense, averaging 2.9 goals per game, is led by Danielle Aviani with 10 goals and two assists for 22 points. Annabelle Hamilton is second on the team with 21 points, including seven goals and a team-high seven assists. Emma Cochran and Emily Corbet have each made seven starts in the cage so far, as Cochran boasts 32 saves, a 1.20 goals against average and a .780 save percentage. Corbet has recorded 29 saves with a goals against average of 2.13 and a .674 save percentage.
 
Head Coach Shannon Hlebichuk on Maine
"Maine is going to be a challenging opponent, as they are nationally ranked and currently on top of the standings in our league. Our team is going to need to show a true will to win and battle our hardest to knock such a competitive squad off balance."
 
Scouting Dartmouth
Dartmouth, who sits at 4-7 overall this year, will play Ivy League rival Yale on Oct. 18 before traveling to Lowell for a matchup the following day. Ali Savage leads the Big Green with 22 points on eight goals and six assists. Janine Leger also has six helpers, paired with three goals for 12 points. Ellen Meyer has made all 11 starts in the cage recording 88 saves for a goals against average of 3.45 and a .704 save percentage. Paige Duffy has made two relief appearances, as well, with one save and a 5.18 goals against average.
 
Head Coach Shannon Hlebichuk on Dartmouth
"Dartmouth is a good Ivy League team that scores quite a bit. We have worked a lot on offense this week, as far as creating and taking full advantage of opportunities, so we definitely hope that translates into our play on Sunday."
 
Series History
The River Hawks and the Black Bears will square off for the eighth time in the history of the two programs on Friday. Maine currently owns a 5-1-1 lead in the all-time series, including a 4-0 victory when the squads last met in 2013. Sunday's contest between UMass Lowell and Dartmouth will mark the eighth meeting ever between the schools, as the Big Green is undefeated against the River Hawks.
 
News to Note
The team has earned three America East weekly awards so far this season, as Bianca Jones was named Player of the Week twice and Kelsey Federico was tabbed the Defensive Player of the Week once … The River Hawks 2-0 start in 2014 marked their best since 2010 when the squad went 24-0 and won the NCAA Division II National Championship … In addition, the team's 4-3, double-overtime win against Longwood on Aug. 31 was its first overtime win since Sept. 4, 2011 (vs. #9 Millersville), and first ever in Division I … UMass Lowell has come on strong late in games this season, scoring 11 of its 18 goals so far in either second half or overtime action … Federico has logged a personal-best 12 saves twice this season, against UMass on Sept. 14 and against Bucknell on Oct. 12 … The team's 3-2 win at Quinnipiac on Sept. 16 was the program's first Division I road win … With the 3-2 win against UC Davis on Sept. 27, the River Hawks improved to 2-0 in overtime this year … Jones logged her first hat trick of the season to lift UMass Lowell to that victory against the Aggies … The River Hawks are currently looking to snap a four-game scoreless streak, as the team has yet to find the back of the cage in the month of October.