September 6 at No. 11 Virginia (3 p.m.)
Live Stats
 
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The UMass Lowell field hockey team is facing the best-of-the-best early on in 2019, taking on three nationally ranked opponents in its first four games. This week, the River Hawks open a three-game road swing when they travel to No. 11 Virginia for a 3 p.m. matchup on Friday, September 6.
 
RIVER HAWK REWIND
The River Hawks started out 2019 going 1-1 on opening weekend. The squad first defeated Fairfield, 3-0, on August 30 before falling in a closely-contested, 1-0 battle against No. 18 Syracuse on Sept. 1. In the Fairfield contest, three different River Hawks scored to secure the victory. Meanwhile against the Orange, neither side was able to break the scoreless stalemate until the 51st minute.
 
LEADING THE FLOCK
Through two games, senior Morgan Irons (Bordentown, N.J.), and sophomores Jenna Berger (Waterloo, Ontario) and Lindsey Kilpatrick (Manlius, N.Y.) each have one goal. Freshman Berbel Rozema (Rotterdam, Netherlands) has one assist, while senior goalkeeper Eva Berkhout (Amersfoort, Utrecht, Netherlands) has tallied three saves so far.
 
SCOUTING NO. 11 VIRGINIA
The Cavaliers are off to a 2-0 start in 2019 after defeating Old Dominion, 3-0, on Aug. 30 and Penn State, 2-1, on Sept. 1. Mikayla Gallen is currently leading the team with two goals for four points. Rachel Robinson adds one goal and one assist for three points. Goalkeeper Lauren Hausheer totals five saves in two appearances.
 
SERIES HISTORY
Friday's contest marks the first ever meeting between UMass Lowell and Virginia in the sport of field hockey.
 
STARTING STRONG
For the sixth consecutive year, the River Hawks earned a win in 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 (Amsterdam, Netherlands) was named America East 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
Berbel Rozema recorded her first career point with an assist against Fairfield (8.30).