Box Score (PDF)LOWELL, Mass. – Junior
Eleonore Agneessens (Brussels, Belgium) scored the lone goal for the UMass Lowell field hockey team (5-9, 0-4) in a 3-1 loss against No. 10 Albany (11-2, 3-1) on Friday afternoon at Wicked Blue Field.
"When you face the 10th-ranked team in the nation and make basic mistakes in the attacking 25 continuously, that is what the result is going to be," said Head Coach
Shannon Hlebichuk. "I thought we played hard and that Kelsey (Federico) made some great saves, so we certainly can play with anyone, but those small details are keeping us from a different result."
The Great Danes maintained possession in their offensive zone to start the day, earning four corners in the first 15 minutes of play, but sophomore goalkeeper
Kelsey Federico (Windham, N.H.) anchored the River Hawks' defense with six early saves.
The visitors were able to pull ahead, 1-0, when Paula Heuser dribbled into the circle on a breakaway and slapped a shot high into the net just under the crossbar.
The River Hawks had a player advantage late in the first half following an Albany green card, although the squad would head into the break still facing a one-goal deficit.
In the second half, the Great Danes scored two goals in a three-minute stretch to extend their buffer to 3-0. Liza Morgan struck first, spinning around UMass Lowell's last defender before putting a shot on target. Heuser then posted her second goal of the day with 21:29 remaining thanks to a good pass from Kelsey Briddell.
The River Hawks were able to get on the board in the final minutes of the contest. The squad converted on a corner opportunity, as senior
Kelly Freitas (Manchester, Mass.) collected a loose ball near the left post and sent a pass across the front of the cage for the tip-in by Agnesseens.
Federico finished with nine saves in the 3-1 decision.
Friday's contest marked the seventh meeting between UMass Lowell and Albany in the sport of field hockey. The Great Danes own an undefeated record in the all-time series. The River Hawks return to action on Sunday, October 18, when they visit Maine for an America East Conference match beginning at 1 p.m.
