Box Score (PDF) | Highlights

LOWELL, Mass. – The UMass Lowell field hockey team (5-11) dropped an 8-0 decision against No. 9 Liberty (10-4) on Friday afternoon at Wicked Blue Field.
 
"We played a top 10 team and that showed in the score against us," said Head Coach Shannon Hlebichuk. "We're still in our developmental stage at this level and it showed today, but we're going to build off of it. We only get better by playing the best and I would say that Liberty is the best team we've faced in our entire Division I career."
 
Sophomore goalkeeper Kelsey Federico (Windham, N.H.) registered a career-high 14 saves. Junior Georgia Cowderoy (Ashmore, Queensland, Australia) paced the River Hawks with four shots, including one on goal.
 
The Flames were quick to get on the board, taking advantage of a corner opportunity just one minute into play. Natalie Barr took the initial shot from the top of the circle that was saved by Federico before Abby Julius collected the rebound and chipped a high ball into the back of the net, giving Liberty an early, 1-0 edge.
 
Liberty would extend its margin to 3-0 with back-to-back goals less than two minutes apart. Natalie Barr struck first for the visitors with a reverse chip shot at 24:59. Teammates Bethany and Serena Barr then connected on a corner chance, as Bethany deflected Serena's shot on goal.
 
The River Hawks threatened with two shots on a corner with 13:30 remaining in the first half, but attempts from both junior Marzana Fiedtkou (Georgetown, Guyana) and sophomore Christa Doiron (Worcester, Mass.) were blocked.
 
The Flames added to their lead with a breakaway goal by Alynn Richardson before Serena Barr converted on a direct corner to make the score 5-0 heading into the break.
 
Liberty posted two more goals in the opening minutes of the second half to pull away, 7-0. Junior Annie Villare (Chelmsford, Mass.) had a chance for UMass Lowell in the second half, firing a hard slap shot just wide on a corner with 27 minutes left in the outing. The home squad found the back of the cage at the 15 minute mark, but the shot was disallowed.
 
Sarah Gipe logged the Flames' final goal of the day to give the visitors' their 8-0 margin of victory.
 
Friday's contest marked the first meeting ever between UMass Lowell and Liberty in the sport of field hockey. The River Hawks will return to action on Sunday, October 25 when they welcome America East Conference foe Vermont for a Senior Day showdown beginning at 1 p.m.