Box Score PDF | Postgame Interview | Photos

STOCKTON, Calif. – Despite scoring first and taking the No. 13 ranked team in the nation into the break tied at 2-2, the UMass Lowell field hockey team (8-11) dropped a 3-2 heartbreaker to Stanford (12-5) in the quarterfinals of the America East Championship on Thursday afternoon.
 
"We just played our best field hockey game in four years," said Head Coach Shannon Hlebichuk. "We absolutely saved our best for last and we came up just short. I think if we were to elongate that game 10 minutes, we certainly would've had the opportunity to tie it up. Overall, I couldn't be more proud of how this team competed today.
 
"I'm stunned in such a happy way. I didn't know this team had this in them. To bring it out in the last game, and represent our conference and university in that way speaks volumes about the character of this team. I am the proudest coach today."
 
Freshman Anouk Lalande (Brussels, Belgium) and junior Christa Doiron (Worcester, Mass.) tallied one goal apiece for the River Hawks in the outing, while senior Kristin Aveni (Westminster, Mass.) picked up an assist. Junior goalkeeper Kelsey Federico (Windham, N.H.) totaled nine saves in the complete-game performance.
 
The River Hawks battled valiantly in their first ever Division I post-season contest and opened the scoring just 11 minutes into the game by taking advantage of a misplayed Stanford penalty corner. The Cardinal's insertion rolled past the top of the circle, resulting in a breakaway going the opposite way and an eventual tip-in from the far side by Lalande.
 
The lead was short-lived, however, as Fran Tew collected a rebound off the post during a corner play before tucking the ball into the back of the cage to knot the score at 1-1 in the 14th minute.
 
Both teams continued to attack with each adding another tally in the waning minutes of the first half. Marissa Cicione put Stanford on top with a shot that sailed by the diving River Hawk defense, but Doiron answered for UMass Lowell just over three minutes later by finishing a rebound during a corner to make the score 2-2 at the break.
 
Coming out of halftime, the teams traded possessions with high energy on both sides of the ball. Senior Georgia Cowderoy (Ashmore, Queensland, Australia) had a chance for the River Hawks with a remarkable, reverse-stick shot, but the America East Goalkeeper of the Year was able to bat it out of the air. The difference maker came in the 68th minute on a direct corner when Katie Keyser's shot bounce up and over Federico. The River Hawks fought to regain momentum in the final minutes, but were unable to overcome the 3-2 deficit.
 
Thursday's contest marked the first meeting ever between UMass Lowell and Stanford in the sport of field hockey.