Box Score
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HAMDEN, Conn. - Freshman Christa Doiron (Worcester, Mass.) tallied two goals and one assist to lead the UMass Lowell field hockey team (3-4) to a 3-2 victory at Quinnipiac University (1-5) on Tuesday afternoon.
 
"Today was a tale of two halves," said Head Coach Shannon Hlebichuk. "We struggled in the first half with possession and gave up a lot of shots, but Kelsey Federico held it down in the cage and kept us in the game. Coming out of halftime, we used bigger passes and that seemed to work in our favor. Christa (Doiron) has been due for a game like this, so we're really proud of her efforts today."
 
With the win, the River Hawks snapped a four-game skid. In addition to Doiron, freshman Fiona Fitzgerald (Lexington, Mass.) added to the offensive effort with one goal of her own, while classmate Katie Luchino (Freehold, N.J.) logged her first career point with an assist. Rookie goalkeeper Kelsey Federico (Windham, N.H.) notched seven saves in the decision.
 
The Bobcats pressured in the opening minutes of the game, registering two corners and the first 10 shots of the day, including six on goal, but Federico and the River Hawks backline played solid defense, clearing out each of the attempts.
 
With 11 minutes remaining in the first half, the River Hawks pushed the ball into their offensive zone and were able to control the pace of play for several minutes before breaking the game open on their first chance at 6:57. Doiron fed the ball into the circle towards Fitzgerald, who finished it with a strong tip past the opposing keeper.  
 
The squads traded possession in the final minutes of the period without avail, allowing UMass Lowell to carry its 1-0 advantage into the break.
 
Coming out of halftime, the Bobcats were quick to knot the score, as Lea Dietrichs converted on a corner less than a minute into the second half.
 
The River Hawks regained the momentum and answered seven minutes later when sophomore Annie Villare (Chelmsford, Mass.) dished a pass from her own 25-yard line up to Doiron, who dribbled the rest of the way in, beating two defenders before firing on cage to make the score 2-1 in favor of the visitors.
 
Quinnipiac was able to retaliate once again, however, when Savanna Reilly found Michelle Federico on another corner play, tying the game at 2-2 with 24 minutes to go.
 
With just over 12 minutes left to play, junior Marzana Fiedkou (Georgetown, Guyana) came up with a good defensive save to preserve the tie game. The difference-maker came with less than five minutes to play when Luchino sent a hard pass from the far right side of the circle that was deflected on cage by Doiron. Quinnipiac pulled their goalkeeper for an extra field player at 2:25, but UMass Lowell held on to secure the 3-2 win.
 
Tuesday's contest marked the third meeting between UMass Lowell and Quinnipiac in the sport of field hockey. The Bobcats still hold a slight, 2-1 edge in the all-time series. The River Hawks will return to action on Friday, September 19 when they host Hofstra University at Wicked Blue Field in Lowell, Mass. beginning at 3 p.m.