Box Score | Postgame Interview | Highlights

LOWELL, Mass. – The UMass Lowell women's soccer team (3-5-2, 1-1-0 AE) faced their first conference loss, after dropping a 1-0 decision to Maine (6-3-0, 1-0-0 AE) on Thursday night at Cushing Field.
 
"At halftime, I thought that was the best performance we have ever had in the history of our program," said Head Coach Joel Bancroft. "In the first 11 minutes we kept our opponents from crossing over the half, we rung the post twice, our possession was great and we followed it up with a good second half. Overall, I thought we were dominating and I am really proud of this group."
 
The home team established an early offensive authority, racking up the first three shots of the match in the opening 10 minutes of play. Midfielders Shannon Groffie (Toms River, N.J.) and Rachel Morrier (Plaistow, N.H.) looked to give their team the lead early but saw their opportunities spoiled by a run-in with the crossbar.
 
Maine made the most of their first shot on goal, as the Black Bears gained a 1-0 advantage in the 11th minute, after earning a corner kick. Forward Kendra Ridley netted her first goal of the year, sending a header into the top left hand corner of the net off a cross from midfielder Vivien Beil.
 
UMass Lowell continued to control the pace of the game for the remainder of the half. Defender Lauren Aldrich (Southampton, Mass.) headlined all players with two shot on goals in the first half. Aldrich's aggressive play provided a spark for her club that went on to hold an edge in shots and corner opportunities with seven and four, respectively, after 45 minutes of play.
 
Coming out of the half, the River Hawks continued to find holes that led to a handful of shot opportunities. The unit's best chances to net the equalizer came with less than 15 minutes left in regulation, on opportunities by Forward Jaymee Luke (Las Vegas, Nev.) and Morrier. Luke sent a floater that bent high and just wide of the net, before Morrier found her chance off a one timer stopped by the hands of goalkeeper Samantha Cobotic.
 
Morrier and midfielder Courtney Coleman (Antioch, Ill.) paced all River Hawks with three shots apiece.
 
Goalkeeper Julia Schneider notched three saves in the outing, while her counterpart recorded five saves on her way to her second consecutive shutout.
 
The River Hawks are back in action on Sunday, October 2 as the club heads to Vermont for their first conference road tilt of the year.