Box Score (PDF) | Highlights | Post-Game Interview

LOWELL, Mass. – The UMass Lowell field hockey team (6-7, 2-2 AE) faced a 4-0 setback against America East Conference opponent, No. 17 UAlbany (10-4, 4-0 AE), on Friday afternoon.
 
"Albany certainly showed why they are ranked in the top 20," said Head Coach Shannon Hlebichuk. "They have great skills, great possession of the ball, and obviously they can finish. I thought we matched up well against some of their most dangerous players, and limited their touches and what they like to do, so I was happy with our performance in those areas. But overall, we had some opportunities that we didn't finish on."
 
Freshman Morgan Irons (Bordentown, N.J.) and sophomore Torrie Huk (Milford, Del.) paced the River Hawks with two shots apiece. Freshman goalkeeper Eva Berkhout (Amersfoort, Utrecht, Netherlands) turned in a complete-game performance, totaling a personal-best 11 saves.
 
UAlbany took an early, 1-0 edge just over five minutes into play, when Jaclyn Hibbs sent a pass across the front of the cage for Molly Mariano, who would tip it in.
 
The Great Danes continued to pressure throughout the first half with a total of 11 shots on goal and seven corners, but Berkhout and the River Hawk defense fought to thwart multiple chances. However, the visitors were able to get on the board once more in the waning minutes of the first half off the stick of Alyssa Curtis to take a 2-0 lead into the break.
 
Coming out of halftime, Mariano batted a high ball up into the net to make the score 3-0 in favor of the Great Danes. The River Hawks came close to cutting the difference back to two, as a shot from Huk trickled under the stick of the opposing keeper, but the goal was waved off.
 
UAlbany then extended their lead in the 48th minute on Mariano's third score of the day. Irons had a good chance for a one-timer in the 58th minute, but her sweeping shot sailed high. The teams would trade possessions in the final minutes of the outing, although UAlbany held on to take the 4-0 decision.
 
Friday's contest marked ninth meeting between UMass Lowell and UAlbany in the sport of field hockey. The Great Danes remain undefeated in the all-time series, 9-0. The River Hawks return to action on Sunday, October 16 when they host Lehigh for Senior Day. That contest is slated to begin at 1 p.m.