Highlights
LOWELL, Mass. – Six different players scored goals as UMass Lowell Women's Soccer lost to Northeastern University, 6-1, Sunday night at the Cushing Field Complex.
Their mobility and their ability to change shapes and just understand what they are trying to do is really good," said UMass Lowell Head Coach Joel Bancroft. "Whenever we can play team's like that, it's going to help us down the road. No one is pleased with a 6-1 score, but I was pleased with what I learned about my team tonight and that will definitely help us against Delaware State (on Friday.)"
With the loss, UMass Lowell drops to 0-2-0, Northeastern improves to 3-1-0.
Tough opponents are part of the plan according to Bancroft who has seen his club face three defending champion or pre-season conference favorites in its first four games including the exhibition schedule.
"We want our schedule to be extremely tough to prepare us for playing in America East," said Bancroft. "Our chemistry is continuing to improve; in spots we were very good. The more you play you hope it gets better and I thought that it is."
The visitors struck first, Breeana Koemans found the back of the net on a free kick in the fifth minute of play; putting the ball over the keepers head and just under the crossbar. Hannah Rosenblatt doubled the Huskies lead knocking her own rebound home in the 14th minute. Nicole Gorman upped Northeastern's lead to 3-0 in the 29th minute.
The River Hawks got on the board in the 31st minute. Sophomore Rachel Morrier (Plaistow, N.H.) scored on a penalty kick putting the ball to right of goalkeeper Jill Quinn who did get a piece of the shot. It was her second penalty kick goal in as many games.
"Rachel is someone who rises to the occasion," said Bancroft. "That situation does not raise her heartbeat one bit."
Down 3-1 at the half, the River Hawks created a couple of juicy opportunities in the early stages of the second half by any thoughts of a River Hawk comeback were quickly snuffed out. MacKenzie Dowd put Northeastern up 4-1 in the 48th minute of play. Hannah Lopiccolo and Carly Wilhelm also added goals before the half was over.
The Huskies outshot UMass Lowell, 18-6. River Haw freshman goalkeeper Julia Schneider made three saves. Jill Quinn made one for the visitors in the first half; Nathalie Nidetch was credited with two second half saves. Northeastern had a 6-4 edge in corner kicks.
The River Hawks host Delaware State Friday, September 4 at 7p.m., at the Cushing Field Complex.
