October 4 at Maine (3 p.m.)
Live Stats | Watch Live
 
October 6 vs. Colgate (12 p.m.)
Live Stats | Watch Live
 
LOWELL, Mass. – The UMass Lowell field hockey team (4-4), is set to open America East Conference play this week when the squad visits Maine on Friday, October 4 for a 3 p.m. tilt. The River Hawks will then return home for their first game at Wicked Blue Field in more than two weeks, as they square off against Colgate in a non-conference matchup on Sunday, October 6 at 12 p.m.
 
RIVER HAWK REWIND
The River Hawks moved back to .500 on the season after dropping a 4-3 heartbreaker in overtime at Dartmouth on Sept. 29 in their only game last week. The squad led, 3-1, early in the second half, but back-to-back goals by the Big Green, including the equalizer inside of the last two minutes of regulation, would force overtime. Dartmouth then tallied what would be the game-winner just over four minutes into the extra period to secure the outcome. Sophomore Grace Davis (Waterloo, Ontario) led the River Hawk offense in the contest with a personal-best five points.
 
LEADING THE FLOCK
Through eight games, freshman Sofie Knook (Amsterdam, Netherlands) leads the River Hawks with four goals and eight points. Classmate Berbel Rozema (Rotterdam, Netherlands) adds a team-best three assists and seven total points. Grace Davis, freshman Kate Miller (Cherry Hilly, N.J.) and sophomore Jenna Berger (Waterloo, Ontario) add six points apiece. Senior goalkeeper Eva Berkhout (Amersfoort, Utrecht, Netherlands) has tallied 22 saves, as well.
 
SCOUTING MAINE
The Black Bears are currently 1-7 in 2019 heading into America East action. The squad is in the midst of a four-game skid, having been outscored, 15-7, during that stretch. Last week, the team fell, 2-1, against Merrimack on Sept. 28. Brianna Ricker is pacing the team with six goals and 13 points, while Brooke Sulinski adds five points. Hana Davis and Cassandra Mascarenhas are tied for first with two assists apiece. Goalkeeper Mia Borley totals 40 saves and a .635 save percentage.
 
SCOUTING COLGATE
The Raiders, who have dropped their six most recent contests, own a 2-8 overall record in 2019. The squad will visit Holy Cross on Oct. 5 before coming to Lowell. Earlier this week, Colgate fell, 4-1, against Cornell on Oct. 1. Taylor Casamassa leads the Raiders with four assists and nine points this season. Casamassa and Nicole Salamone each boast three goals. Anna Unger totals 54 saves in the cage so far with a .684 save percentage.
 
SERIES HISTORY
The Black Bears lead the all-time series against the River Hawks, 14-1-1, including a 5-4 win in double overtime to close out the 2018 regular season. UMass Lowell is 2-1, all-time against Colgate after earning a win in each of the last two seasons, including an impressive, 5-2 decision in 2018.
 
A WIN WOULD
A win on Friday would give the River Hawks their first ever Division I victory against Maine and their first since 1986. A win on Sunday against Colgate would improve UMass Lowell's home record this season to 3-1.
 
MAKING HISTORY
For the first time in its Division I history, UMass Lowell cracked the top 20 in the NCAA RPI rankings for the week of Sept. 23.
 
SPREADING THE LOVE
The River Hawks' offense has been a true team effort this season, as 12 different River Hawks have already logged at least one point in 2019. That mark ties for the second-most point scorers in a season during the program's Division I era.
 
PLAYING THE BEST
In order to prepare for their challenging conference schedule, the River Hawks played three nationally ranked opponents in their first four games this year.
 
STARTING STRONG
For the sixth consecutive year, the River Hawks won their season opener with the Fairfield decision. That contest also marked the second straight season-opening shutout for Eva Berkhout and the squad's back line.
 
WEEKLY AWARDS
Freshman Kate Miller was named America East Rookie of the Week on Sept. 24 after tallying five points in the win against Sacred Heart. Classmate Sofie Knook also earned a Rookie of the Week nod on Sept. 17 after propelling the River Hawks to victory against Ball State with a pair of goals. She was previously tabbed Defensive Player of the Week on Sept. 3 following a successful collegiate debut that included a big defensive save in the 38th minute against Syracuse.
 
SPAIN 2020
Coach Hlebichuk has announced that her squad is headed to Spain in 2020 for the unique opportunity to experience the culture and the hockey. The team is looking for generous donors to help complete the fundraising efforts. For more information, or to donate, click here.
 
NOTABLES
Grace Davis logged her first goals of the season with a personal-best five points at Dartmouth (9.29) … Kate Miller registered her first career goals against Sacred Heart (9.20) … Sofie Knook scored her first career goals against Ball State (9.15) … Berbel Rozema recorded her first career point with an assist against Fairfield (8.30).