Box Score
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LOWELL, Mass. – Freshman Christa Doiron (Worcester, Mass.) knocked in the game-winning goal in the 81st minute of play to lead the UMass Lowell field hockey team (6-13) to a season-ending, 1-0 victory against Saint Louis University (2-16) on Senior Day Saturday afternoon.
 
"I'm thankful that we were able to pull out that victory in the end for the senior class," said Head Coach Shannon Hlebichuk. "They've worked so hard during their careers, especially these last two years since we elevated to Division I, so to send them off with a win meant the most. The effort from everyone out there was excellent despite the weather and our second overtime game in two days. They worked tirelessly to earn this win."
 
After more than 80 minutes of scoreless action, the difference-maker came on a penalty corner with just over four minutes remaining in the first overtime. Junior Kelly Freitas (Manchester, N.H.) logged the first attempt that was stopped at the goal line by a defender, but Doiron quickly took control of the ball during the scramble for the rebound and found the back of the cage on the put-back to give the home team the 1-0 decision.
 
The River Hawks, who outshot the visitors 21-10 in the outing, pressured in the early part of the first half. Less than five minutes into play, Doiron dribbled into the circle alone and was challenged illegally by the opposing keeper, drawing a penalty stroke. Freitas lined up to take the stoke attempt for the home team, although it was batted away by Tori Westhead to keep the game scoreless.
 
UMass Lowell continued to control the momentum with a pair of corners and shots from junior Marzana Fiedtkou (Georgetown, Guyana), freshman Katie Luchino (Freehold, N.J.) and junior Sophie Watt (Sawtell, Australia). With 14 minutes to go in the first half, the River Hawks forced back-to-back corners, but Fiedtkou's hard shot on goal was stopped by a kick save.
 
The Billikens registered their first corner of the day with 7:34 left in the period, however they were unable to capitalize on the opportunity thanks to a great diving save by freshman goalkeeper Kelsey Federico (Windham, N.H.). Sophomore Georgia Cowderoy (Ashmore, Queensland, Australia) launched a close-range shot as the squads fought through the waning minutes of the half, but neither side was able to break the game open, keeping the 0-0 stalemate intact at halftime.
 
Coming out of the break, SLU earned the first two corners and both shot attempts went wide. The River Hawks threatened in transition when Luchino found Cowderoy streaking up the field for the shot that was turned away. Play was contained primarily in the middle of the field for several minutes until Cowderoy rocketed another point-blank shot that was deftly saved by the SLU keeper. UMass Lowell followed with another corner, but Watt's shot was wide. The River Hawks maintained possession in their offensive zone, but could not find the cage, forcing overtime.
 
The home team earned a corner in the first minute of extra time and registered three shots. The teams continued play for eight more minutes until the River Hawks converted on the final corner.
 
The Class of 2015, made up of Andrea Byrne (Tyngsborough, Mass.), Chelsea Chronopoulos (Tyngsborough, Mass.), Carrie Dresser (Plaistow, N.H.) and Bianca Jones (Watertown, Mass.), was honored in a special pregame ceremony. Saturday's contest marked the first meeting between UMass Lowell and St. Louis in the sport of field hockey.