Box Score (PDF)

AMHERST, Mass. – The UMass Lowell field hockey team (4-1) battled from behind to tie the score twice before conceding a goal in the final five minutes to Massachusetts (3-2) in a hard-fought, 4-3 setback on Friday afternoon.
 
"Overall, this was a competitive game from start to finish," said Head Coach Shannon Hlebichuk. "We finished on most of our opportunities, but we had a couple of silver platters handed to us that we didn't take care of early on that I think would have changed the result of the game. UMass had a little bit of a break to put two goals in late, but we came back and fought really hard to tie it up. If we had five more minutes in the game, I think maybe we could have taken it to overtime."
 
Senior Jessica Walsh (North Easton, Mass.) paced the River Hawks with one goal and one assist for a career-high three points in the outing. Junior Georgia Cowderoy (Ashmore, Queensland, Australia) and freshman Torrie Huk (Milford, Del.) added one goal each, while sophomore Christa Doiron (Worcester, Mass.) tallied a personal-best two assists. Sophomore goalkeeper Kelsey Federico (Windham, N.H.) recorded seven stops in the performance, as well.
 
The Minutewomen took an early, 1-0 lead just over five minutes into play when Izzy Delario gained control of the ball on a breakaway and sent a reverse chip high into the cage. The River Hawks were quick to retaliate, however, converting on their first corner opportunity of the day less than three minutes later, as Doiron inserted the ball to senior Sophie Watt (Sawtell, Australia) for the stick stop at the top of the circle to set up Walsh for the hard shot on target.
 
Federico was tested by the home squad over the next several minutes, but the keeper made four consecutive stops, including a pair of great kick saves to preserve the 1-1 stalemate. UMass Lowell would force a corner in the waning seconds of the half, but could not get a shot off, keeping the tied score intact at the break.
 
UMass Amherst scored twice on corners in the first seven minutes of the second half to pull ahead, 3-1. Melanie Kreusch struck first for the home team, while Shauna Rankin-Byrne followed with a goal of her own.  
 
The River Hawks took control of the momentum and threatened with two consecutive chances before Cowderoy was able to fire home a slap shot on a corner with assists from senior Annie Villare (Chelmsford, Mass.) and Doiron. UMass Lowell's offense continued to attack and was able to tie the game once again, this time at 3-3 on a deflection by Huk with 9:50 remaining.
 
Sarah Hawkshaw registered the go-ahead goal and what would become the eventual game-winner for the Minutewomen on a shot that found the far right corner with just 4:13 left to play.
 
Friday's contest marked the third meeting between UMass Lowell and UMass Amherst, who have squared off annually for the Kennedy Cup since 2013. The Minutewomen now lead the all-time series, 3-0. The River Hawks continue their four-game road swing on Sunday, Sept. 13 with a 1 p.m. tilt at Brown.