Box Score (PDF) | Medeiros Interview

HANOVER, N.H. – Freshman midfielder Kristina Keith (Exeter, N.H.) notched the River Hawks only two goals, as the UMass Lowell women's lacrosse team (0-1) fell, 18-2, at Dartmouth (1-0) in the team's season opener on Saturday afternoon.
 
"I think we really prepared for this team, and they ended up bringing something that we weren't expecting, but they also did a little bit of what we planned for." said Head Coach Carissa Medeiros. "It is tough to say how the scoring margin ended up the way they did, but they are a very athletic and aggressive team, and have great senior leadership."
 
The Big Green opened up the scoring with 22:24 left in the first half, to take the 1-0 lead over the River Hawks.
 
Keith scored just 30 seconds later on a free position shot, notching the squad's first goal of the season. Keith drove half the length of the field after picking up a groundball, later getting fouled in the crease, resulting in a free position goal that knotted the score 1-1, with 21:54 to play in the first.
 
Dartmouth began to break open a close game, scoring six consecutive goals to extend the home team's lead, 7-1, with ten minutes left in the opening half.
 
With seven minutes to play, Keith struck again for the River Hawks to break up the opponents 6-0 run, after receiving a pass from junior midfielder Kristy Roberston (Kingston, N.H.) in front of the goal and beating goaltender Charlotte Wahle down low.
 
The home team tacked on five additional goals, carrying a 12-2 advantage into half time.
 
Dartmouth rounded out the second half posting six goals to secure the 18-2 victory.
 
Despite being shut out in the second half, the River Hawks had a handful of opportunities that did not fall their way. Keith and sophomore attacker Taylor Sokol both blasted shots that went a bit to wide, hitting off the post and away from the net.
 
Sophomore goalkeeper Courtney Barrett (South Burlington, Vt.) posted 10 saves, while recording a team high in ground balls (3) and caused turnovers (2). Keith tallied a team-best three shots in the outing.
 
Saturday's contest marked the first ever meeting between the River Hawks and the Big Green, as Dartmouth holds 1-0 advantage in the all time serious. UMass Lowell is back in action Wednesday, February 24 when the squad travels to Manhattan for a 3 p.m. tilt.