Box Score (PDF)

NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Junior Christa Doiron (Worcester, Mass.) notched a season-high two goals to lift the UMass Lowell field hockey team (4-6) to a 5-0 victory against Sacred Heart (0-10) in a non-conference matchup on Sunday afternoon.

"Overall we are happy with the performance today," said Head Coach Shannon Hlebichuk. "Securing our first shutout of the season speaks to the work we have been focusing on defensively. We made a couple of adjustments at halftime and saw our attacking unit become more successful with their opportunities, as well."
 
Three other River Hawks scored one goal each, as seniors Kristin Aveni (Westminster, Mass.), Georgia Cowderoy (Ashmore, Queensland, Australia) and Eleonore Agneessens (Brussels, Beligum) added to the offensive effort. Senior Annie Villare (Chelmsford, Mass.) and junior Katie Luchino (Freehold, N.J.) tallied one assist apiece, as well. Freshman Eva Berkhout (Amersfoort, Utrecht, Netherlands) and junior Kelsey Federico split time in the cage to combine for the team's first shutout of the season.
 
The River Hawks jumped out to a quick, 1-0 lead less than two minutes into play, when a scrum in front of the cage forced the Pioneers' keeper to step out of position and allowed Doiron to sneak a shot into the back of the cage.
 
The visitors continued to control the pace of the game, outshooting Sacred Heart, 6-1, in the first half with the help of a trio of attempts from Cowderoy to send the squad into the break with the one-goal advantage.  
 
Coming out of halftime, the Pioneers registered the first three shots, but Doiron would soon strike again, this time dribbling into the circle on a breakaway and firing a hard ball from seven yards out to make the score 2-0.
 
Just over three minutes later, Aveni finished off a ball from the post, extending the River Hawks' lead to three. Later in the half, Cowderoy and Agneessens joined in on the offensive action with goals of their own to help UMass Lowell pull away, 5-0, in the 57th minute.
 
The River Hawks then maintained the momentum in the waning minutes of the outing, taking the final four shots of the day to seal the 5-0 victory.
 
With Sunday's decision, UMass Lowell improves to 5-3 all-time against Sacred Heart in the sport of field hockey. The River Hawks return to Wicked Blue Field in Lowell on Friday, October 7 to square off against America East Conference foe New Hampshire in a 7 p.m. tilt.