Box Score (PDF) | Postgame Interview | Highlights

LOWELL, Mass. – Despite facing a 2-2 stalemate at halftime, the UMass Lowell field hockey team (8-9, 3-4 AE) registered five second-half goals to earn a 7-2 victory against America East foe Vermont (7-11, 0-7 AE) in the squad's 2016 home finale at Wicked Blue on Friday evening.
 
With the win, the River Hawks have clinched a spot in their first ever America East Championship, which will be held next week, November 3-6, in Stockton, Calif.
 
"I thought we played the best field hockey game we've played all year," said Head Coach Shannon Hlebichuk. "Obviously, being tied 2-2 at the half, we had some things to work out, but our energy was always where we wanted it to be the entire game. We talked about playing with energy, keeping possession of the ball and taking care of our opportunities, and to score seven goals against a very tough Vermont team, says a lot about where we are mentally."
 
The River Hawks used six different goal scorers in the win, including senior Kristin Aveni (Westminster, Mass.), who notched a career-high two goals to pace the squad. Senior Georgia Cowderoy (Ashmore, Queensland, Australia), junior Katie Luchino (Freehold, N.J.) and freshman Anouk Lalande (Brussels, Belgium) each added one goal and one assist on the night. Junior goalkeeper Kelsey Federico (Windham, N.H.) totaled four saves in the complete-game performance, as well.
 
Vermont got on the board less than two minutes into play on a direct corner by Lauren Tucker. The River Hawks were quick to knot the score, though, as Lalande collected the ball in the near corner before sending a pass towards the center of the circle for junior Christa Doiron (Worcester, Mass.), who redirected it on target in the eighth minute.
 
The back-and-forth offensive action continued throughout the remainder of the first with each side adding another tally before the break. Tucker struck once again for the Catamounts on another corner chance, while Lalande was able to tip a pass from Luchino up and under the crossbar, making the score 2-2 at halftime.
 
The UMass Lowell front line would take control of the momentum in the second to put the game out of reach, scoring five unanswered goals in the period, including three in the opening 11 minutes. Luchino started the run just five minutes into the half before Huk and Aveni each scored unassisted. Aveni's second of the day came on a breakaway in the 51st minute and Cowderoy sealed the 7-2 decision in the 53rd.  
 
Friday's contest marked the 16th meeting between UMass Lowell and Vermont in the sport of field hockey. The Catamounts still lead the all-time series, 11-4-1. The River Hawks close out the 2016 season on Sunday, October 30 when they visit No. 19 UAlbany for a 1 p.m. tilt.