Friday, October 31 vs. Fairfield (3 p.m.)
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Twitter: @RiverHawkFH @RiverHawkNation Tweet #UnitedInBlue
 
Saturday, November 1 vs. Saint Louis (2 p.m.)
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LOWELL, Mass. – The UMass Lowell field hockey team will wrap up the 2014 season with a pair of home games this weekend. The squad first welcomes America East Conference opponent Fairfield University to Wicked Blue Field on Friday, October 31 for a Halloween matinee beginning at 3 p.m. The River Hawks will then close out the year when they host Saint Louis University for Senior Day on Saturday, November 1 at 2 p.m.
 
River Hawk Review
UMass Lowell enters this week's contests with a 5-12 overall record, including a 0-4 mark in America East play. Last week, the River Hawks faced a 6-0 setback against New Hampshire on Oct. 24 before falling, 6-3, at Providence on Oct. 26.
 
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 three goals and four assists for 10 points, while freshman Christa Doiron (Worcester, Mass.) and sophomore Eleonore Agneessens (Brussels, Belgium) follow with seven and five points, respectively. Junior Marzana Fietkou (Georgetown, Guyana) and freshman Fiona Fitzgerald (Lexington, Mass.) have tallied two goals for four points each, as well. Freshman goalkeeper Kelsey Federico (Windham, N.H.) has anchored the backfield with two shutouts and a conference-best 115 saves for a .714 save percentage.
 
Scouting Fairfield
The Stags enter their final game of the season with an overall record of 6-11 and an America East mark of 1-3. Fairfield has not fared well on the road in 2014, coming in at 1-7. Ann Burgoyne paces the offense with 17 goals and one assist for 35 points. Felicitas Heienen has added to the offense with six goals and five assists, totaling 17 points. Caitlin Bennett has played the majority of the season in the cage, making 13 appearances (12 starts) and recording 51 saves. Her goals against average is 2.90 with a save percentage of .680. Emma Ball has played at goalkeeper in nine games with four starts, making 48 saves, a 2.45 a goals against average and a .787 save percentage.
 
Head Coach Shannon Hlebichuk on Fairfield
"We are fortunate to close out the season with two home games this weekend. We play Fairfield in our last America East game. The team has been working hard and fighting to get a conference win this year, and has been knocking on the door. I really believe that if we push hard right out of the gate, we can put ourselves in a position to be successful."
 
Scouting Saint Louis
The Billikins of the A-10 come into the matchup sitting at 2-15 (0-7) in the midst of a seven-game losing skid. Shannon Knobloch has registered three goals and one assist for seven points. Kristin Collins also has seven points on two goals and three assists. Megan Depew-Brady has made seven starts with three relief appearances and has stopped 61 shots for a goals against average of 6.30 and a save percentage of .635. Tori Westhead has started the remaining three games with 13 total appearances and 84 saves. Her save percentage is .706 and she has a goals against average of 4.25.
 
Head Coach Shannon Hlebichuk on Saint Louis
"On Saturday we are recognizing our seniors before our season finale against Saint Louis. I know that the whole team not only wants to end the season on a high note, but also help finish out the seniors' careers with a win."
 
Series History
The River Hawks and the Stags will square off for the 11th time in the history of the two programs on Friday. UMass Lowell leads the series, 8-2, despite Fairfield earning a 5-0 win in 2013. Saturday's contest between UMass Lowell and Saint Louis marks the schools' first meeting in the sport of field hockey.
 
News to Note
The team has earned four 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 twice … 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 14 of its 23 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 … Marzan Fiedtkou's first career goal on Oct. 17 against No. 20 Maine snapped a four game scoreless streak for the River Hawks, while her last-second goal the very next game against Dartmouth on Oct. 19 ended a five-game skid for the team … Heading into the final weekend of the season, Carrie Dresser leads the America East in defensive saves (4), while Federico leads the league in saves (115).