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WEST HARTFORD, Conn. –  UMass Lowell women's soccer had no answer for the University of Hartford's top guns as the River Hawks were beaten, 5-1, in an America East Conference game Thursday night at the Yousuf Al-Marzook Athletic Field in West Hartford, Conn.

"We just got kicked in the teeth and that was out of character for us," said UMass Lowell Head Coach Joel Bancroft.  "I was proud of the way we rallied in the second half and kept fighting.  We were disappointed but we didn't hang our heads."

The Hartford top guns were two-fold; Sidney Spremullo scored three goals and set up teammate, returning America East Striker of the Year, Chanel Johnson for two. 

"The officiating calls didn't go our way, the ball didn't bounce our way," said Bancroft, "but it was a great learning experience."

The loss ends an all too brief River Hawk two game winning streak.  UMass Lowell's record drops to 4-7-0 overall and 1-1-0 in conference play.  Hartford improves to 6-2-3 / 2-0-0.  The game was just the second meeting all time between the two teams.  Hartford has won both.

Spremullo put Hartford on the board in the ninth minute of play when she converted on a penalty kick.  Johnson got the eventual game winner in the 23rd minute when she headed the ball into the net off a corner kick.  Spremullo made it 3-0, in the 24th minute, with her second goal of the game.  Spremullo and Johnson each picked up second half goals as well.

The River Hawks never raised the white flag and did put a marker on the board in the 79th minute.  Freshman Megan Rauseo (Methuen, Mass.) took advantage of a Hartford miscue putting the ball in the back of the net after it had been mishandled by the goalkeeper.

"That was reflective of a no-quit attitude," said Bancroft.  "This team never stopped working."

Hartford outshot UMass Lowell 15-6 and had an 8-2 on target edge.  River Hawk senior goalkeeper Jane Hatzikonstantis (Tewksbury, Mass.) had three saves.  At the opposite end of the field Jessica Jurg had one save.  Gabby Arruda played the final 8:52 but was not credited with a save.

Hartford also had an edge in corner kicks, 9-4.

UMass Lowell returns to battle on Sunday, October 5 at 1:00 P.M., in Vestal, N.Y. when they visit Binghamton University.  The Bearcats are 4-6-1 overall and 0-0-1 in conference play.  It will be the fourth meeting between the two teams and the River Hawks are still looking for their first win in the series.