Thursday, Sept. 24 vs. Hartford (4 p.m.)
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Twitter: @RiverHawkWSOC @RiverHawkNation

LOWELL, Mass. – The UMass Lowell women's soccer team kicks off league play this Sunday, September 24 when they face off against preseason favorite, Hartford, at Cushing Field. The River Hawks are 2-2-0 in conference openers since joining the America East in 2013.
 
Last Time Out
The River Hawks went 1-1 in last week's matchups versus Big East foes Seton Hall and Providence to move their record to 3-2-3 on the year.
 
The squad started the week with a 3-1 victory over the Pirates. Junior captain Rachel Morrier (Plaistow, N.H.) scored twice in the matchup, while senior Andrea Morrow (West Boylston, Mass.) netted her second game-winning goal of the season. Junior keeper Julia Schneider (Bridgewater, Mass.) finished with seven saves.
 
Providence handed the River Hawks a 2-0 loss to finish the week. Schneider stopped seven shots in the loss, while Morrier finished with a shot on goal.
 
Leading the Way
The Plaistow, N.H. native continues to lead the way statistically for the River Hawks, compiling team highs in goals (4), points (9), shots (37), and shots on goal (12), while also tallying an assist. Senior Andrea Morrow (West Boylston, Mass.) is second on the team with two goals and four points. Senior Shannon Groffie (Toms River, N.J.) and freshman Kristin Birgisdottir (Mofsfellsbaer, Iceland) have both recorded an assist.
 
The junior keeper has played every minute of the season for the squad, compiling 51 saves, a 0.56 goals-against average, a .911 save percentage, and four shutouts, while only allowing five goals on the season.
 
Schneider's Hot Start
In her third season, the junior keeper has become one of the most consistent goalies in the conference and is on pace to have her best season in her young career.
 
.911 save %: Leads America East; Eighth NCAA
Four shutouts: T-1st America East; T-22nd NCAA
0.56 GAA: Leads America East
 
Schneider is also second in the America East with 6.38 saves per game and 51 saves on the season.
 
Scouting Hartford (4-5-1)
The Hawks their second straight win on Thursday night, defeating Wagner 4-1. Sophomores Bridgette Alexander and Kaila Lozada each tallied a pair of goals in the win. Freshman keeper Maia Perez stopped three shots. Alexander and Lozada also lead the Hawks in goals with four apiece, while Lozada holds the lead in points, 11, thanks to her three assists. Perez enters the matchup with a 1.44 goals-against average, a .720 save percentage, 36 saves and has allowed 14 goals on the season.
 
Series History
This will be the fifth meeting on the pitch between the two squads, with Hartford leading the all-time series against the River Hawks, 3-1.
 
From the Start
With the squad leading Seton Hall 1-0 at the half in September 14th's matchup, the River Hawks extended their streak of not allowing a goal in the opening 45 minutes of play to seven games. Providence would end the streak on September 17th with a tally in the 26th minute of play.
 
Notables
The River Hawks and junior captain Rachel Morrier were recognized in the latest edition of the New England Soccer Journal's power rankings. Morrier and her squad were both ranked ninth in the team and player power rankings.
 

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