LOWELL, Mass. -- On a cold and wet Sunday afternoon at Cushing Field, the UMass Lowell women's soccer team (2-1-2) defeated Sacred Heart (1-4-0) 1-0 as Rachel Morrier (Plaistow, N.H.) netted the game-winning goal in the 19th minute to give the River Hawks their second win of the season. Julia Schneider (Bridgewater, Mass.) stopped six shots to record her third shutout out of the season.

"The game plan worked," commented Women's Soccer Head Coach Francesco D'Agostino. "We wanted to stop them from hitting long balls down to our back line, so we pressed a little higher. They bought into the game plan and we did really well. Once we got on the ball, we moved very quick. I'm happy that they were able to win one in regulation, instead of having to go to overtime again."

In the 19th minute, freshman forward Kristin Birgisdottir (Mofsfellsbaer, Iceland) was taken down inside the box by a Pioneer defender and was awarded a penalty kick. Morrier, the junior captain, stepped into the box to take the kick that found its way past the outstretched keeper and into the top left of the net. 

With two seconds remaining in the first, Sacred Heart's Alyssa Hyland took a shot on goal that was corralled by Schneider to keep the home team up at the half.

Sacred Heart would get the first few opportunities to start the second half, with a shot that went wide in the 50th minute and back-to-back corners that were cleared out by the home squad.

In the 57th minute, junior Maddie Walsh shot a rocket from outside the box for the River Hawks first chance in the second that was straight at Sambuco in net.

The Pioneers and River Hawks would then trade shots for the remainder of the period, but were unable to find the back of the net.

In the 88th minute, Sacred Heart's Caitlin Buckley received a red card after taking down freshman Karah Fleet (Halifax, Nova Scotia) as she turned to make a breakaway.

In the 90th minute, Sacred heart was awarded a corner as they sent everyone forward for their last chance of the match. Schneider remained calm and collected in goal and punched the ball out of danger to midfield.

Sacred Heart had a 14-13 shot advantage, while each team tallied four corners. Schneider stopped six shots to Nicole Sambuco's five.

The River Hawks return to action on Thursday, September 7 when they travel to face St. Bonaventure.