Box Score (PDF) | Highlights

LOWELL, Mass. – The UMass Lowell field hockey team (5-13, 0-7) dropped a 4-3 heartbreaker in overtime against America East Conference foe New Hampshire (8-9, 4-3) in the squad's home finale at Wicked Blue Field on Friday.
 
"I thought we played fantastic for the duration of the game," said Head Coach Shannon Hlebichuk. "To take UNH to overtime when we have essentially just pride on the line was awesome to watch. We talked a lot about pride and character this week, and they certainly showed that today on the field, so I'm very proud of them."
 
Senior Jenna Freitas (Manchester, N.H.), sophomore Christa Doiron (Worcester, Mass.) and freshman Torrie Huk (Milford, Del.) each recorded one goal in the contest for UMass Lowell. Sophomore goalkeeper Kelsey Federico (Windham, N.H.) tallied 12 saves in the decision, while senior Marzana Fiedtkou (Georgetown, Guyana), junior Annie Villare (Chelmsford, Mass.) and sophomore Kelly Mankowich (East Windsor, N.J.) added one defensive save apiece in the outing.
 
The Wildcats took an early, 1-0 lead just over six minutes into play. Meg Flatley, who took the ball away from a defender before she could hit it up field on the re-start, dribbled into the circle alone and pushed a shot into the far corner of the cage.
 
Huk was able to put a shot on goal with 22:10 remaining in the first half, but it was kicked away by UNH's keeper Melissa Rize. During the next 15-minute stretch, the defense for both sides controlled the pace of play, as neither side was able to get a shot off. Doiron broke the silence with an attempt that sailed wide right with seven minutes to go in the half, sending the home team into the break down by one.
 
Coming out of halftime, the River Hawk offense attacked with three straight goals in a three-minute span. Doiron knotted the score, 1-1, by slotting home a pass from senior Kelly Freitas (Manchester, N.H.) at 27:29. Jenna Freitas then gave the home squad its first lead of the day during a scramble in front of the cage, and Huk followed with a one-timer off the opposing goalkeeper's pads to put UMass Lowell on top, 3-1.
 
The lead was short-lived, however, as New Hampshire answered with two quick goals of its own. Lindsey Nerbonne converted on a penalty stroke at 22:40 before she scored her second of the day on a corner opportunity to erase the deficit and tie the score, 3-3.
 
The teams traded possessions throughout the remainder of the half, and although UNH earned a pair of corners in the final seconds of regulation, the River Hawks' defensive unit cleared it out of the circle to send the game into overtime.
 
The extra period was also evenly matched, with two saves by each squad. The difference maker came with less than four minutes to go, as Meg Carroll collected a rebound off of Federico's pads before firing a follow-up shot that found its way just inside the right post.
 
Friday's contest marked the fourth meeting between UMass Lowell and UNH. The Wildcats remain undefeated in the all-time series. The River Hawks will close out the 2015 season with a 1 p.m. tilt at #8 Albany on Sunday, November 1.