Box Score (PDF) | Bancroft Interview
 
New Britain, Conn. – The UMass Lowell women's soccer team dropped a non-conference contest to Central Connecticut State, 4-0, on Sunday afternoon.
 
Central Connecticut States' (4-2-2) Charlie Branch's goal in the 17th minute was all the squad needed to secure today's victory. Branch's goal was assisted by Alysa Christo, who connected with Branch in the box, heading it in for her first tally of the season.
 
"I think the first half we lacked intensity and let a very good team settle in," said Head Coach Joel Bancroft. "I thought our response in the second half, starting seven or eight new faces was really good."
 
Those new faces to come off the bench in the second half, combined for four of the teams six shots in the game. Carolyn Ragon (Melrose, Mass.) and Taylor Chianese (Chepachet, R.I.) provided their squad with their best two chances of scoring. Ragon blasted a shot from the right corner of the box and Chianese picked up a free ball in the box lacing it towards the goal. Neither shots could find their way past Central Connecticut's goalkeeper Ashley Cavanaugh who registered a blank sheet and four saves on the day.
 
The home team stretched their lead to 2-0 in the 38th minute, Claire Walsh caught enough of the ball to slip it by goalkeeper Julia Schneider (Bridgewater, Mass.). The visitor's last two goals came in the second half in the 82nd and 83rd minutes by Delaney Lancor and Brianne Casey.
 
Goalkeeper Meghan LaPointe (Ludlow, Mass.) came into the game in the 39th minute, tallying two saves on the day, matching her career high.
 
Sunday's contest marked the first meeting ever between UMass Lowell and Central Connecticut. The Blue Devils now lead the series 1-0.  The River Hawks are back in action, taking a trip to Dartmouth for a 7 p.m. contest on Thursday, Sept. 24.