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LOWELL, Mass. –  An overtime goal brought the curtain down on the UMass Lowell Women's Soccer season with a loss, but couldn't nullify a terrific performance and an emotional Senior Night by a hardworking team that left all it had of the turf, Tuesday evening, at Cushing Field Complex.

Dartmouth College defeated UMass Lowell, 2-1 in overtime, in the non-conference match up.

"I feel such pride for these kids," said UMass Lowell Head Coach Joel Bancroft.  "They saved a really good performance for the last one.  I think it's indicative of who we are and where we want to go."

Before the game UMass Lowell honored the six seniors who have been part of the leading edge in the transition to Division I.

"I'm very happy," said Bancroft.  "It's been an emotional day for these kids who've worked so very hard to help champion this transition."

The season, their second in Division I, ends with UMass Lowell showing a 5-13-1 record overall.  That is an increase of four wins over the previous season.  They finished America East Conference play, two weeks ago, with a 2-5-1 record.  Dartmouth improves to 8-4-4. They are 3-0-3 in Ivy League play.

"These kids just found another level," said Bancroft.  "In every metric that you look at, corners, time of possession, shots, they only one we weren't in front on was the scoreboard and that was the one that mattered."

The River Hawk dominated the first half with an aggressive short passing game and a hard working defense that blunted what few opportunities the visitors were able to muster.  UMass Lowell had a 7-2 shooting edge and a 5-2 advantage in corner kicks in the first 45 minute frame. For all that was done right, the score remained nil-nil.  

"It was a very tight, hard fought, battle," said Bancroft.  "we had some opportunities to get on the scoreboard.  The complexion of the game changes if we could do that, but we were unable to finish."

Dartmouth had few opportunities to finish, but made the most of them.  Kate Castillo put the Big Green on top in the 55th minute of play heading a crossing pass over the goalkeeper and into the net.  Meredith Gurnee got the game winner in overtime, also on a header.

In between the two Dartmouth goals, the River Hawks nearly provided a storybook ending to the season and Senior Night.  Senior Haley Benson (Winthrop, Mass.) evened the match with a right foot drive into the upper right corner of the net out of a wild scramble in the box.  It was the first goal of the midfielder's career.

"Her heart may be her biggest asset," said Bancroft.  "There is no better example of someone who works hard and deserves to score a big time goal in her last game.  The goal was like everything she does, it came from hard work and determination."

UMass Lowell outshot Dartmouth, 14-8 overall and 5-4 on target.  The River Hawks also had a 5-4 edge in corner kicks.

Senior Goalkeepers Jane Hatzikonstantis (Tewksbury, Mass.) and Jill Carlson (Lexington, Mass.) shared the net responsibilities.  Each made two saves.

In addition to Katzikonstantis, Carlson and Benson, seniors Sarah Raye (Salem, N.H.), Brittany Russo (Danvers, Mass.) and Emily Bracken (Bridgewater, Mass.) were honored before the contest.

"They've been great leaders," said Bancroft.  "They were willing to take more and more responsibility on their shoulders and they've grown into confident young women and that's impressive."