Box Score (PDF)

LOWELL, Mass. – Despite more than 64 minutes of scoreless action, a single, late goal was the difference, as the UMass Lowell field hockey team (4-3, 0-1 AE) succumbed to No. 24 UAlbany (5-2, 1-0 AE) in the America East opener on Friday night.
 
"Obviously the result is disappointing," said Head Coach Shannon Hlebichuk. "It certainly doesn't reflect the work that we put on the field, but when you have a breakdown against a very good team and you make one error, and they're going to make you pay for it."
 
Junior Eva Berkhout (Amersfoort, Utrecht, Netherlands) posted a season-high 10 saves in the decision, while freshman Jenna Berger (Waterloo, Ontario) led the River Hawks' offense with four shots, including three on goal.
 
The front line for both sides attacked right from the start, with UMass Lowell taking a 4-3 shot advantage through the first 10 minutes of play. The Great Danes' Elaina Burhcell challenged Berkhout in the 13th minute, but the veteran keeper made the stop to keep the game even. The defense for both sides would then control the remainder of the period, marking just the second time this season that the River Hawks have gone into the break locked in a scoreless tie.
 
Coming out of halftime, UAlbany put the pressure on, firing off five shots, including three on goal, in the first seven minutes, but Berkhout stayed strong.
 
Berger had a good chance for the home squad in the 44th minute, dribbling into the circle on a breakaway, but she was stripped by the opposing keeper, as the 0-0 stalemate remained intact.
 
The difference maker came with just over five minutes remaining in regulation when Carli Pelletier had a one-on-one opportunity in the circle and flicked a shot up, over Berkhout's outstretched stick and into the top of the net. The River Hawks' fought to even the board, as Berger made another attempt in the 67th minute, but the Great Danes held off their hosts to escape with the 1-0 outcome.
 
The Great Danes now own a 12-1 lead in the all-time series. The River Hawks will be in action again on Sunday, September 23 when Quinnipiac visits for a non-conference tilt at 2 p.m.