ALBANY, N.Y. – The UMass Lowell men's soccer team (2-9-1, 1-3 America East) was unable to add to an early goal by freshman forward Jonathan Ferreira (Ashland, Mass.), as the squad fell at UAlbany (8-4, 3-1 AE), 2-1, on Wednesday evening.
 
The River Hawks held possession for much of the first frame and finished the opening half leading in shots, 6-2. As the game progressed, the ball was shared more evenly, but the visitors held on for a 10-7 advantage in chances. Nine UMass Lowell players recorded at least one attempt, including six starters.
 
"Tough result on the night, but I thought we played pretty well," said Head Coach Christian Figueroa. "We created some good chances that we needed to put away, and right now that is our biggest struggle."
 
The River Hawks wasted no time applying pressure further up the pitch. Just four minutes into the match, Ferreira intercepted a pass amongst the UAlbany defenders in the final third and found space in the bottom right corner to put UMass Lowell up, 1-0.
 
Not much later in the 17th minute, the away team had a chance to add to their lead on a distant free kick opportunity. Sophomore midfielder Guillermo Francés Poquet (Enguera, Valencia) fired the ball on net in hopes of a potential score or rebound, but the opposing keeper made a comfortable save.
 
With the UMass Lowell attack keeping much of the play on the opposing end, a quick shift onto defense allowed for a Great Dane corner kick from the right side. The cross was made into the box and Neophytos Scottis was free to tap the ball in and even the score in the 38th minute.
 
The River Hawks retaliated and earned a free kick on the very edge of the penalty area just moments after. With little room to work with, the shot was driven low and into the UAlbany wall, preventing any follow-up attempts.
 
Coming out of the break, the River Hawks played with less possession and were forced to work off the counterattack. A key moment came in the 55th minute when Ferreira weaved through defenders and drew them off teammate Daniel Orrego (Medellin, Colombia), who followed in support. Orrego received the dump off pass and drilled the ball low to the center of the net, rolling into the arms of the goalkeeper for the save.
 
The draw was not broken until the 80th minute on a Great Dane push into the River Hawk zone. A display of short passes between several players gradually worked the ball from left to right, setting up a wide chance by Saad Faiz that found the back of the net.
 
The UMass Lowell defense worked to keep things close through the dying minutes of the game by stepping in front of attempts and clearing it to the forwards. It was enough to force one final effort at a corner, yet time expired before it could be taken, and the River Hawks fell short 2-1.
 
UMass Lowell will play in New York again on Sunday, October 17 at 1 p.m. when they visit Stony Brook.