Tuesday, September 16 at Quinnipiac (3:30 p.m.)
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Twitter: @RiverHawkFH @RiverHawkNation Tweet #UnitedInBlue
 
Friday, September 19 vs. Hofstra (3 p.m.)
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Twitter: @RiverHawkVB @RiverHawkNation Tweet #UnitedInBlue
 
LOWELL, Mass. – The UMass Lowell field hockey team will play a pair of games this week, first visiting Quinnipiac University for a 3:30 p.m. tilt on Tuesday, September 16 before hosting Hofstra at Wicked Blue Field on Friday, Sept. 19 beginning at 3 p.m.
 
River Hawk Report
UMass Lowell enters this week with a 2-4 overall record and in the midst of a four-game skid. Despite a late momentum shift, the River Hawks fell 2-1 at Bryant on Sept. 12 in the squad's first road game of the season. The team then squared off against the University of Massachusetts for the Kennedy Cup and faced a 3-1 setback on Sept. 14. As a whole, UMass Lowell has forced a total of 36 corners, compared to 30 by the opposition, and has totaled 73 shots.
 
Flying High
Senior Bianca Jones (Watertown, Mass.) paces the River Hawks with five goals, including two game-winners, for 10 total points. Sophomore Georgia Cowderoy (Ashmore, Queensland, Australia) has added to the offensive effort with two goals and three assists for seven points, while classmate Eleonore Agneessens (Brussels, Belgium) follows with five points. Sophomores Annie Villare (Chelmsford, Mass.) and Kristin Aveni (Westminster, Mass.), along with freshman Fiona Fitzgerald (Lexington, Mass.) have logged on goal apiece, as well. Freshman goalkeeper Kelsey Federico (Windham, N.H.) has anchored the backfield with two shutouts and 32 saves for a .711 save percentage.
 
Scouting Quinnipiac
The Bobcats host the River Hawks on Tuesday looking for their first home win of the season, after going 0-3 so far at QU Field Hockey Turf Complex. Danielle Allan and Meghan McCullough lead the team with two goals each, while Lea Dietrichs has a team-high 18 shots. In the backfield, Angie King has four defensive saves and goalkeeper Megan Conaboy has stopped 53 shots.
 
Head Coach Hlebichuk on Quinnipiac
"Our game at Quinnipiac is a quick turnaround from the weekend. We did a great job on Sunday keeping our energy level up for the entire 70 minutes, so we will look to do the same tomorrow, as well as convert on more of our chances."
 
Scouting Hofstra
The Pride is riding a six-game win streak, during which the team has outscored the opposition, 20-6. Claudia Samper-Marin leads Hofstra with six goals and three assists for 15 points. She also has a team-high 25 shots, including 20 on goal. Jonel Boileau adds to the offense with five goals, three assists and 13 points.
 
Head Coach Hlebichuk on Hofstra
"Hofstra is off to a great start this season and we are expecting a challenging game on our own turf this Friday. Their last three wins have been against fellow America East opponents, so we know that we are going to have to play our best in order to come out with the result we want."
 
Series History
The River Hawks and Bobcats will square off for just the third time in the history of the two programs on Tuesday. Quinnipiac has won both previous meetings, including a 3-1 decision when they last met in 2013. Friday's contest between UMass Lowell and Hofstra will mark the fifth meeting between the two schools in the sport of field hockey, following a 6-2 Pride victory in last year.
 
News to Note
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 six of their nine goals so far in either second half or overtime action. Kelsey Federico notched a personal-best 11 saves against UMass on Sept. 14.