Friday, September 5 vs. Holy Cross (7 p.m.)
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Sunday, September 7 vs. Brown (12 p.m.)
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Twitter: @RiverHawkVB @RiverHawkNation
 
LOWELL, Mass. – The UMass Lowell field hockey team welcomes a pair of opponents to Wicked Blue Field at Cushing Field Complex in Lowell, Mass. this weekend. The River Hawks will host Holy Cross of the Patriot League on Friday, Sept. 5 in a 7 p.m. tilt before welcoming Brown of the Ivy League on Sunday, Sept. 7 at 12 p.m.
 
River Hawk Report
Following the team's Opening Weekend Tournament on August 29-31, UMass Lowell is off to a 2-0 start in 2014. The River Hawks earned a 2-0 win in their season opener against La Salle on Aug 30 before earning a hard-fought, 4-3 victory in double-overtime against Longwood on Aug. 31. As a team, UMass Lowell has forced a total of 15 corners, compared to just seven by the opposition, and has outshot its competition, 30-22.
 
Flying High
Senior Bianca Jones (Watertown, Mass.) paces the River Hawks with four goals, including two game-winners, for eight total points. Sophomores Eleonore Agneessens (Brussels, Belgium) and Georgia Cowderoy (Ashmore, Queensland, Australia) have added to the offensive effort with one goal and two assists for four points each, while junior Sophie Watt (Sawtell, Australia) has notched one assist of her own. Freshman goalkeeper Kelsey Federico (Windham, N.H.) has anchored the backfield with 10 saves, a .769 save percentage and one shutout in the pair of wins.
 
Scouting Holy Cross
The Crusaders enter Friday's matchup at 1-1 after splitting their games at the Opening Weekend Tournament, hosted by UMass Lowell. Both games were close decisions, as the squad picked up a 1-0 win against La Salle and faced a 1-0 loss to Longwood. Kaitlyn Murray has the squad's lone goal on the season, and goalie Kat Matchett made 10 saves, while facing 26 shots.
 
Head Coach Hlebichuk on Holy Cross
"We are excited to be able to host back-to-back weekends on our home field. Holy Cross played extremely well in our tournament against La Salle and Longwood. Their attackers are fast and we will need to be strong defensively. We have to compete for 70 minutes at a high level and capitalize on our opportunities to earn a win." 
 
Scouting Brown
The Bears open their 2014 campaign on Sept. 6 against Bryant before visiting UMass Lowell the following afternoon. Last season, Brown finished 6-11 with an Ivy League record of 1-6. Second-Team All-Ivy League selection Meghan O'Donnell returns for her senior year after leading the Bears in scoring for the third straight season. She had a team- and career-high 12 goals and added three assists for 27 points.
 
Head Coach Hlebichuk on Brown
"This will be the first time we have competed against Brown in regular season play, so they are a bit of an unknown for us. They had a great season last year and are a much improved team. I know it will be another competitive game for us." 
 
Series History
The River Hawks and Crusaders will clash for the 17th time in the history of the two programs on Friday. Holy Cross owns a 12-4 advantage in the all-time series, although the teams have not faced off since 1994 (HC, 4-0). Sunday's contest between UMass Lowell and Holy Cross will mark the first meeting between the two schools in the sport of field hockey.
 
Recognizing Excellence
Bianca Jones was named the America East Co-Player of the Week and the River Hawk of the Week on Sept. 2. The forward, who missed all of last season due to injury, logged a pair of goals in each of the team's two games in the Opening Weekend Tournament, propelling UMass Lowell to a pair of victories.   
 
News to Note
The River Hawks 2-0 record marks their best start 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 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 five of their six goals so far in the second half.