Box Score (PDF)

NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Three, second-half goals proved to be the difference for the UMass Lowell field hockey team (4-2) in a 4-1 victory at Sacred Heart on Sunday afternoon.
 
Junior Anouk Lalande (Brussels, Belgium) paced the team with two goals, including the game-winner. Classmate Morgan Irons (Bordentown, N.J.) tallied her first career goal in the outing, as well, while senior Torrie Huk (Milford, Del.) notched a goal and an assist to become the program's Division I leader for career points with 77.
 
"Today was a character-building game after yesterday's performance," said Head Coach Shannon Hlebichuk following the team's second game of the weekend. "We had some changes to make within 24 hours and I thought the team did a good job making them. We were able to show our depth with a lot of players giving us significant minutes."
 
The River Hawks' offense took control of the pace of play right from the start, outshooting the Pioneers, 8-1, in the first 12 minutes. The visitors were able to get on the board in the 15th minute when senior Carleen O'Connell (Madison, N.J.) sent a pass into the circle for Lalande, who went 1-on-1 with the SHU keeper to give her squad an early, 1-0 advantage.
 
UMass Lowell worked to keep the ball in their offensive end for the remainder of the period and took the one-goal margin into the break. However, the home squad quickly erased the difference on a goal by Colleen McAninley in the 37th minute.
 
The stalemate was short-lived, though, as the River Hawks retaliated with back-to-back goals just three minutes apart. Lalande first finished a pass from Huk before Irons collects a loose rebound right in front of the cage for the put-back.
 
The Pioneers threatened in the 52nd minute with a shot that got behind junior goalkeeper Eva Berkhout (Amersfoort, Utrecht, Netherlands), but sophomore Clara Defourt (Brussels, Belgium) came up with a big defensive save to keep her team's 3-1 buffer intact. Huk then sealed the 4-1 outcome when she found the back of the cage in the 56th minute.
 
UMass Lowell now leads the all-time series against the Pioneers, 7-3. The River Hawks will kick off their 2018 America East Conference schedule on Friday, September 21 when they host UAlbany at 7 p.m.
 
"This is the end of our 'preseason' and we know the true test of our work, preparation and growth as a team will be on display on Friday night when we open conference play against a top 25 program," the veteran coach concluded.