FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The UMass Lowell women's lacrosse team (3-6) nearly completed a second-half comeback at Sacred Heart on Saturday afternoon, but eventually fell in an 11-8 decision. Sacred Heart's Hanna Wise scored a game-high six goals in the Pioneers' victory.
 
Paige MacEachern (Lynnfield, Mass.) led the way for the River Hawks in the first half, scoring all three UMass Lowell goals for a first-half hat trick. Sacred Heart remained steady throughout, though, and the River Hawks trailed 6-3 at halftime.
 
In the second half, UMass Lowell went on a 4-1 run in a 10-minute span, with goals from Hannah Rose (Framingham, Mass.), Cameron McKelvin (Westminster, Md.) and Rebecca Idson (East Atlantic Beach, N.Y.).
 
McKelvin's second goal brought the River Hawks to within one, trailing 8-7, but the Pioneers took off, scoring three-straight goals to extend the lead to four by the end of the game.
 
Kendyl Finelli (Southborough, Mass.) notched a team-high two assists, while McKelvin and MacEachern each finished with three goals. Samantha Blair (West Islip, N.Y.) led the way with three ground balls, and Hana Caster (North Attleboro, Mass.) had a season-high eight draw controls.

MacEachern now has four games with at least three goals this season, while McKelvin has a team-high five.
 
Next week, the River Hawks are back at home as America East action commences, with a matchup against UAlbany on Saturday, March 23 at 1 p.m.