LOWELL, Mass. – The UMass Lowell women's lacrosse team fell to in-state rival Massachusetts, 21-8 in non-conference play on Monday afternoon at Cushing Field.
 
The River Hawks drop to 1-3 on the season, while the Minutewomen improve to 2-1 overall.
 
"We knew coming in it was going to be a tough one," stated head coach Lisa Miller. "Our main goal was to stay in structure, and you saw bits and pieces of that early today. I was really happy with the way we cleared the ball against their ride, while making defensive stops through edging and recovering."
 
Four freshmen; Alex Palermo (Reading, Mass.), Grace Hansen (Stamford, Conn.) Anna Bauter (Dexter, N.Y.) and Izzy Liquori (Agawam, Mass.) all pitched in second-half goals for the River Hawks.  
 
UMass Lowell trailed 15-4 at halftime. Liquori and senior midfielder Hana Caster (North Attleboro, Mass.) finished the day with a team-high two goals apiece. Sophomore Samantha Blair (West Islip, N.Y.) pitched in helpers for the second straight game, earning a team-high two assists for the River Hawks in the losing effort.
 
Freshman goalie Madison Grazidei (Bayport, N.Y.) matched her personal-best with 13 stops in her third start of the season for UMass Lowell, while UMass' Lauren Win-Hiller registered five saves in her second win of the season for the Minutewomen.
 
Three different Minutewomen; Haley Connaughton, Emma Dotsikas and Stephanie Croke totaled four goals each in the victory for the visiting team.
 
Up next the River Hawks will welcome Bryant to Cushing Field on Friday, February 28 with the opening draw scheduled for 3:30 p.m.