Box Score (PDF) | Highlights | Photo Gallery

LOWELL, Mass. – Despite scoring three second-half goals, the UMass Lowell field hockey team (5-4) fell, 5-3, against in-state opponent Harvard (5-2) on Sunday afternoon. The River Hawks donned purple ribbons and t-shirts for their second annual Cystic Fibrosis Awareness/Team IMPACT Day game in honor of their match, eight-year-old Isabelle Johnson.
 
"This loss hurts, but to have Isabelle with us on our team puts things into perspective and shows us what a true fighter is," said Head Coach Shannon Hlebichuk. "It makes it a little bit easier to swallow because life is bigger than a game. We were happy to have her here with us today."
 
Junior Kristin Aveni (Westminster, Mass.) paced the River Hawk offense with one goal and one assist for a career-high three points in the outing. Senior Jenna Freitas (Manchester, N.H.) and sophomore Christa Doiron (Worcester, Mass.) logged one goal apiece, as well. Sophomore goalkeeper Kelsey Federico (Windham, N.H.) totaled four stops in her 70-minute performance.
 
The River Hawks attacked early, registering the first two chances of the day, including a shot from close-range by Doiron that was kicked away by the Crimson keeper. Both sides tallied a pair of corners in the first 12 minutes of play, although neither side was able to capitalize, keeping the game scoreless.
 
Play remained evenly matched for the next eight minutes until Harvard converted during a corner to pull ahead, 1-0. Elizabeth Jacobson received a pass from the top of the circle, faked right and made a quick move around a UMass Lowell defender before firing just inside the left post. Two minutes later, the Crimson extended its margin on a goal by Sarah Finnemore, who collected the loose ball off of a rebound to score with 12:51 left in the period. Harvard would find the back of the cage once more in the waning minutes of the half on a reverse chip shot by Marissa Balleza, giving the visitors a 3-0 edge at the break.
 
Coming out of halftime, the River Hawks took advantage of a corner opportunity to get on the board less than seven minutes into the second, as Aveni dished a pass across the cage towards the left post for a one-touch sweep on goal by Jenna Freitas. The Crimson regained a three-goal lead, however, when Dina Sinno connected with Madison Jung with 20:12 remaining in the contest.
 
Jacobson's second goal of the day gave Harvard a four-goal margin, but the River Hawks would not go quietly, answering with back-to-back goals. Doiron got a stick on a hard ball by senior Kelly Freitas (Manchester, N.H.) before Aveni gathered a rebound and beat the opposing keeper to her right. The home team was unable to shrink the difference further, though, as Harvard sealed the 5-3 decision.
 
Sunday's contest marked the fifth meeting in the series between the two squads with the Crimson holding onto the 5-0 advantage. The River Hawks return to action on Friday, October 2 when America East opponent Maine comes to Wicked Blue Field for a 6 p.m. tilt.