Box Score NEW HAVEN, Conn. –  The UMass Lowell Women's Soccer team battled tooth and nail but dropped a 3-1 decision to Yale University in a non-conference match, Tuesday evening, at Reese Stadium in New Haven, Conn.

"The loss stings, but (this team) had a spark in their eyes and a jump in their legs, we're a blue collar team and we always will be," said UMass Lowell Head Coach Joel Bancroft.  "There had been an absence of energy in recent games, it was restored tonight.  They played for each other, I'm very proud of them."

UMass Lowell's record drops to 5-12-1 overall; they finished America East Conference play, last week, with a 2-5-1 record.  Yale improves to 7-4-3. They are 1-1-3 in Ivy League play.

"We worked really really hard, we won 50/50 balls," said Bancroft.  "We played better than we had recently but we didn't finish.  You have to make your own luck and we didn't."

The home team took the lead in the seventh minute of play.  Meredith Speck hit the back of the net from in close.  She was set up for the easy finish on a pass from Melissa Gavin.

Yale doubled the lead with a goal in the 52nd minute and again it was Speck who did the damage.  She headed in a crossing pass from Frannie Coxe.  Coxe and Annie Hull were credited with assists on the goal.

Down by two the River Hawks responded almost immediately.  Actually, kit was 29-seconds later.  Senior Sarah Raye (Salem, N.H.) drilled the ball off the right post and in after taking a pass from freshman Shannon Groffie (Toms River, N.J.)

"Raye has battled injuries for the last ten games," said Bancroft.  "But, she was very good tonight."

It was a one-goal game with a great deal of time remaining.

"We carried play," said Bancroft, "but it was about who scores the next goal."

And it was Yale that got the insurance goal rather than the River Hawks getting the equalizer.  Melissa Gavin scored in the 63rd minute, Sarah Oyadomari got the assist.

UMass Lowell outshot Yale 10-7 overall and on-target 5-4.  Senior goalkeeper Jill Carlson (Lexington, Mass.) made one save.  Rachel Ames made four saves protecting the Bulldog net. 

UMass Lowell had a 4-2 edge in corner kicks.

UMass Lowell will return to the Cushing Field Complex Tuesday, November 4 at 6:00 P.M., for the 2014 season finale when they host Dartmouth College.  Six River Hawk seniors will be honored before the contest.