WEST HARTFORD, Conn. – The UMass Lowell women's soccer team (4-11-2, 3-5-1 AE) battled through their eighth overtime game this season, but unfortunately the extra minutes weren't enough as the squad fell to Hartford (9-6-2, 5-2-1 AE) in the first round of the America East tournament at Al-Marzook Field on Sunday afternoon.
 
"It was an extremely competitive game," stated head coach Mira Novak. "When you look at the numbers from both sides the match was fairly even. Unfortunately, one goal ended up being the difference maker and we were on the wrong side of it."
 
Hartford came out swinging to start the first half when Izzy Lachcik connected off a corner kick and attempted to put the ball into the bottom center of the net, but graduate student Annerens Tijm (Tjerkgaast, Netherlands) was there with the save to keep the Hawks off the board.
 
Taking off down the line in the 23rd minute, sophomore Hailey DuBose (Raynham, Mass.) attempted to get the River Hawks on the board when she ripped a pass across the center of the pitch to redshirt junior Courtney Coleman (Antioch, Ill.), only to have the shot go high.
 
The River Hawks saw their closest scoring opportunity of the first half when sophomore Kristina Bartschs' (Pulheim, Germany) shot attempt was blocked by the Hawks, only to have fellow classmate Kristin Birgisdottir (Mosfelssbaer, Iceland) rebound the ball and send it to the lower left corner, unfortunately Maia Perez was there with the stoppage for Hartford.
 
At the half, the River Hawks outshot the Hawks 5-3, while each keeper recorded two saves.
 
After the River Hawks were awarded a free kick in the 72nd minute, sophomore Emily Nelson (Peabody, Mass.) saw her chance when she rocked a shot from 20 yards out, but the shot just missed the top of the net keeping the score at 0-0.
 
At the end of regulation neither team was able to capitalize on their chances, bringing the game into sudden death overtime.
 
Keeping the trend going, a scoreless first overtime pushed the match into another ten minutes of play. The final strike came for the Hawks in the 105th minute when Sierra Stone sent a long pass across the field to Skylar Vitiello who headed the ball into the lower left corner of the net.
 
"We had our ups and downs throughout the season," commented Novak, "In terms of our schedule it was one of the most competitive that we've ever had. Were still a young team so we'll use this experience towards the growth and future of our program."