Box Score (PDF)

DURHAM, N.H. – Propelled by a pair of goals from freshman Jenna Berger (Waterloo, Ontario), the UMass Lowell field hockey team (8-7, 2-5 AE) defeated conference rival New Hampshire (3-11, 1-5 AE) on Friday afternoon in an important America East matchup.
 
"I thought we were well-prepared for today," said Head Coach Shannon Hlebichuk. "We knew it was going to be a one-goal game and a battle to the end. We played composed, had good possession of the ball and had some really important defensive corners, so overall, I'm really happy with our play."
 
The win marked the River Hawks' first series sweep of the Wildcats since joining the league in 2013. Berger's performance was the first multiple-goal game of her career. Senior Brooke Roberts (Medway, Mass.) tallied her first assist of the season, while junior Eva Berkhout (Amersfoort, Utrecht, Netherlands) made six saves in the outing, as well.
 
Despite the teams trading two corners each in the first 20 minutes of action, play was mostly contained to the middle of the field, as the defense kept the game scoreless. The River Hawks were able to convert on their next corner chance, though, when Berger posted up right in front of the cage and deflected a pass from Roberts up over the opposing keeper to put the visitors ahead, 1-0, in the 24th minute.
 
Coming out of halftime, UMass Lowell was quick to attack with a reverse-stick rocket from Berger that was batted out of the air and a one-timer on the rebound from senior Torrie Huk (Milford, Del.) that dribbled just wide. The River Hawks were awarded with a penalty stroke in the 41st minute, but sophomore Katie Lynes' (Oakville, Ontario) attempt missed left.
 
The River Hawks had a goal overturned on a corner late in the second before UNH capitalized on a corner of its own on the next possession with a tally from Bloem van den Brekel to even the board at 1-1 in the 58th minute. The stalemate was short-lived, however, as Berger executed a clean tackle outside the circle just over two minutes later to take control of the ball and win a one-on-one with the keeper, lifting her squad to the 2-1 outcome.
 
The Wildcats still own a 7-3 edge in the all-time series. The River Hawks will now host Dartmouth in a non-conference tilt on Sunday, October 21 at 1:30 p.m.