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LOWELL, Mass. –  The UMass Lowell Women's Soccer team was unable to get the offensive engines revved and dropped a 2-0 decision to the University of New Hampshire in an America East Conference match, on a damp Thursday evening, at the Cushing Field Complex.

"We had a lot of variables to overcome, our opponent and the weather, and with our youth it becomes a bit more magnified," said Head Coach Joel Bancroft.  "Ultimately when you don't put the ball in the back of the net it becomes a long road to walk."

UMass Lowell's record falls to 5-11-1 overall and 2-5-1 in conference play.  It was the River Hawk's final conference game of the season.  New Hampshire improves to 6-8-2 / 3-2-2.  The Wildcats move four points ahead of UMass Lowell in the standings.

"When you have two teams that are so close in technique, the mental game becomes the area that you have to win," said Bancroft.  "UNH has learned how to grind out points.  It's hard and it's a learned behavior to grind out points when you are not playing your best."

The River Hawks were back on their heels much of the first half, unable to create offensive opportunities, as the visitors dictated the pace and geography of play.  New Hampshire took the lead, off a set piece, in the ninth minute of play.  Meghan Ledwith got the goal, heading a  Brooke Murphy corner kick into the far right side of the net.  

"One-nil begins to feel like three or four and we have been unable to get over the hump," says Bancroft.  "It was a tough one for sure."

UNH had a 1-0 lead at the half but it could have been more but for a couple of terrific saves by River Hawk senior goalkeeper Jill Carlson (Lexington, Mass.)  Carlson briefly left the match after being shaken up in a collision following a point blank save slamming the door on Caroline Murray in the 37th minute. 

The second half found the River Hawks showing a more aggressive offensive approach, but still frustrated as they were unable to convert.  

New Hampshire added an insurance goal in the 56th minute of play.  Murphy, who'd picked up an assist, scored her team leading seventh goal of the season heading home a pass from Jenna Paddock.

UMass Lowell outshot UNH 13-12 in the game, thanks in part to a strong second 45 minutes.  The visitors had a 7-6 on-target edge.  Carlson had three saves.  Senior Jane Hatzikonstantis (Tewksbury, Mass.), who tended the net for a bit more than seven minutes when Carlson was attended to by the trainer, had two saves.  Mimi Borkan made six saves protecting the Wildcat net. 

UMass Lowell had a 5-4 edge in corner kicks.

UMass Lowell will return to the field of battle and the road Tuesday, October 28, at 7:00 P.M., when the River Hawks visit Yale University in New Haven, Conn.  The River Hawks, now finished with America east Conference play, will wrap up the season Tuesday, November 4 at 6:00 P.M., when they host Dartmouth College.