September 20 vs. Sacred Heart (3 p.m.)
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September 22 at Columbia (12 p.m.)
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LOWELL, Mass. – After 18-days without a game on its own turf, the UMass Lowell field hockey team (2-3) is set to be back on Wicked Blue Field for a Friday afternoon tilt against Sacred Heart on September 20 at 3 p.m. The squad will then head back out for another three-game road swing beginning at Columbia on Sunday, Sept. 22 at 12 p.m.
 
RIVER HAWK REWIND
The River Hawks split a pair of games last week, falling to No. 13 Northwestern, 7-2, on Sept. 13 before defeating Ball State in the final two minutes, 2-1, on Sept. 15. Freshman Sofie Knook (Amsterdam, Netherlands) scored both goals in the victory to help propel the River Hawks past the Cardinals.
 
LEADING THE FLOCK
Through five games, freshman Berbel Rozema (Rotterdam, Netherlands) leads the River Hawks with two goals and two assists for six points. Sofie Knook also adds two goals so far, while sophomores Jenna Berger (Waterloo, Ontario) and Lindsey Kilpatrick (Manlius, N.Y.) each have three points. Senior goalkeeper Eva Berkhout (Amersfoort, Utrecht, Netherlands) has tallied 13 saves and boasts a 3.07 goals against average, as well.
 
SCOUTING SACRED HEART
The Pioneers, who are 1-6 so far in 2019, are currently in the midst of a four-game skid. Last weekend, the team faced a pair of 2-0 setbacks against Holy Cross (Sept. 13) and at Quinnipiac (Sept. 14). Kayla Kruk is leading the team with one goal and two assists for four points. Goalkeeper Hailey Power already totals 72 saves with an .809 save percentage.
 
SCOUTING COLUMBIA
The Lions are 3-1 this season, although they will square off against Fairfield before hosting UMass Lowell on Sunday. Last week, the team knocked off a pair of nationally ranked opponents, first defeating No. 22 Boston University, 4-3, in overtime on Sept. 14 before taking down No. 24 Maine, 3-2, on Sept. 15. Jennifer Trieschman (4g) and Kelsey Farkas (3g, 2a) are tied for first on the squad with eight total points. Allison Smith chips in with six points. Alexa Conomikes boasts 27 saves in the cage, as well.
 
SERIES HISTORY
The River Hawks currently lead the all-time series against Sacred Heart, 7-3, following a 4-1 win in 2018. The series against Columbia is currently tied at 1-1. UMass Lowell earned an exciting, 4-3 victory in double overtime last season against the Lions.
 
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 back Sofie Knook was named America East Rookie of the Week 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.
 
NOTABLES
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).