FAIRFIELD, Conn. – After scoring three goals within a five-minute span, the UMass Lowell women's soccer team (1-3-2) notched its first victory of the season with a win over Sacred Heart (0-5-0) on Monday afternoon at Park Avenue Field.
 
Emily Nelson (Peabody, Mass.), Lily Fabian (Monson, Mass.) and Kristin Birgisdottir (Mosfellsbaer, Iceland) each tallied a goal to help the River Hawks trounce the Pioneers.

"I think it was our most cohesive performance that we've put together," said interim head coach, Mira Novak. "Our goal was to come out, play our game and control our game through possession – we did really well."

 
The River Hawks controlled the pace in the first half, attempting 11 shots to the Pioneers' four. Rachel Morrier (Plaistow, N.H.) led the way with seven shots and two shots on goal, while Katelyn Vieira (Warwick, R.I.) chipped in with two shots of her own. Julia Schneider (Bridgewater, Mass.) stopped the lone shot that came her way.
 
Schneider had a strong second half as well, making a pair of big stops in the 61^st minute to keep the game in check. She would finish with three saves.

The floodgates opened later in the second half, as UMass Lowell scored three consecutive goals in the span of a few minutes. In the 64^th minute, Nelson scored her second goal of the season, assisted by Fabian to put the River Hawks up 1-0. UMass Lowell was able to use that momentum to get another one on the board in the 68^th minute with a goal from Fabian – her first career goal.

The River Hawks weren't done, though, as Birgisdottir scored her second goal of the season just a minute and a half later to give the team a 3-0 cushion. The team held on to that three-goal advantage for the remaining time and pulled out the victory, beating Sacred Heart for the second straight season. Morrier handled much of the playmaking, assisting on both Fabian and Birgisdottir's goals.

"Rachel had a really good game and created a lot of chances," Novak said.

UMass Lowell held the offensive edge throughout the game, leading in shot attempts (18 to 10) and shots on goal (9 to 3).

The River Hawks are back on home turf this Thursday for a tilt with Quinnipiac at 7 p.m.