Box Score .pdf
NEW YORK, N.Y. – An early goal and a stingy defense paid off as the UMass Lowell Women's Soccer team got into the win column for the first time this season, Sunday afternoon, with a 1-0 victory against Wagner College midst the rain drops at Wagner College Stadium on Staten Island.
"We played well; this was building on things we did in our last game," said UMass Lowell Head Coach Joel Bancroft. "It was a nail biter, but we did what we had to do."
The River Hawks improve to 1-5-0. Wagner falls to 1-6-1.
UMass Lowell struck first, sophomore Shannon Groffie (Toms River, N.J.) put the River Hawks on the board in the ninth-minute of play. The midfielder picked up a rebound in the box and drilled the ball low into the middle of the net for her first goal of the year and the second of her career. Junior Carolyn Ragon (Melrose, Mass.,) who fired the initial shot was credited with an assist on the goal.
"(Groffie) doesn't fashion herself as a goal scorer," said Bancroft. "She's a great athlete. She handles the ball well and is a teammate first; she likes to share the ball. We believe she can be a scorer."
The coaches feel that Groffie is a key part of the on-field strategy using her to change the point of attack. A year ago she led the team in assists and points.
Sunday was not the first time the River Hawks have led during the season, but it was the first time that they have effectively protected that lead. Freshman goalkeeper Julia Schneider (Bridgewater, Mass.) and the back line in front of her turned in a strong performance.
Schneider, who picked up her first collegiate win, made four saves. But it was the other aspects of hr game that impressed the coach.
"It was a tremendous effort from Julia," said Bancroft. "Her shot stopping has been consistent, but more than that it was her stepping up to grab balls and being vocal in directing traffic. You can see the confidence getting into all parts of her game."
Bancroft also had praise for the back line of freshman Samantha Lee (Salem, Conn.,) sophomore Alex Guzman (Las Vegas, Nev.) and senior Selja Snorradottir (Reykjavik, Iceland) who he descroibed as "real strong." Senior Colleen Corliss moved off the back line and into the midfield was also described by Bancroft as "brilliant."
The home team had a 10-8 shooting edge, but UMass Lowell was on target more often, 5-4. The Seahawks had the edge in corner kicks, 4-1.
The game was the first of four in a row on the road for the River Hawks. The next stop is Thursday, September 17, 3 P.M., at Bryant College in Smithfield, R.I. They return home on Monday, September 28, 7 P.M., to host Quinnipiac at the Cushing Field Complex.
