STONY BROOK, N.Y. – The UMass Lowell women's soccer Cinderella season continues as the River Hawks took down top-seeded Stony Brook in the America East semifinals on Sunday afternoon at LaValle stadium. The #4 River Hawks' 2-0 victory propels them to the America East championship game, where they will face UAlbany on Sunday, November 4.
 
"It was a really tough game today with two good teams playing for a final spot," interim head coach Mira Novak said. "I'm happy that we were able to capitalize on the chances in the second half, and I'm really proud of the defenders and how they stepped up and dealt with quick players. It was great energy from the team."
 
The first 45 minutes featured eight UMass Lowell shots to six from Stony Brook, but no goals on either end.
 
The second half was another story for the River Hawks. In the 60^th minute, Lily Fabian (Monson, Mass.) gathered a loose ball right in front of the net after a cross from Katelyn Vieira (Warwick, R.I.) and scored her fourth career goal to put UMass Lowell up 1-0.
 
The Seawolves mounted an aggressive counterattack in the final 30 minutes, but the River Hawks managed to quell the Stony Brook push, capped off by a late-game goal by Vieira in the 88^th minute. Vieira crossed up a Stony Brook defender and took on America East Goalkeeper of the Year Sofia Manner one-on-one, sending the ball into the lower right corner of the net.
 
The goal afforded UMass Lowell some cushion in the final two minutes, as the team went on to win the game.

Julia Schneider (Bridgewater, Mass.) made eight saves in the game, while Vieira and Rachel Morrier (Plaistow, N.H.) led the way in shot attempts with three each.
 
With the victory, the River Hawks have a week to prepare for #3 UAlbany, who they will face on Sunday afternoon in Albany.
 
"They were ready for today, and they didn't want their season to end," Novak said. "They want to be the champions, and they just took another step today."