LOWELL, Mass. – Cutting the difference to just one heading into the fourth quarter, the UMass Lowell field hockey team (2-2, 0-1 AE) came up just short in a 3-2 decision against Maine (1-2, 1-0 AE) to open America East Conference play.
 
"I thought it was a typical conference matchup," said Head Coach Shannon LeBlanc. "Two good teams played a really good game of hockey for an entire 60 minutes. There was back-and-forth play and exciting goals scored. We just didn't do enough to get the result that we wanted."
 
Maine made use of their 10 penalty corner chances in the contest, jumping out to a 3-1 edge, and although senior captain Clara Defourt (Brussels, Belgium) put the River Hawks within one ahead of the fourth quarter, the Black Bears held on for the road decision.
 
In addition to Defourt, sophomore Jenna Berger (Oakville, Ontario) finished the day with one goal. Sophomore Berbel Rozema (Rotterdam, Netherlands) totaled a personal-best two assists in the contest. Freshman goalkeeper Eleonore Boekhorst (Bilthoven, Netherlands) registered a season-high five saves, as well.
 
The River Hawks put a goal up on the board less than two minutes into the contest, as Rozema dribbled the ball into the circle and sent a pass across the front of the cage for Berger, who slotted home a one-timer from the post.
 
The Black Bears were able to answer back in the eighth minute, converting on a corner thanks to a tip from Hana Davis high up into the net over the outstretched Boekhorst. The teams then played through the rest of the first quarter and majority of the second deadlocked at 1-1 until the visitors found the back of the cage on a direct corner off the stick of Poppy Lambert in the 29th minute to take a one-goal edge into the break.
 
Coming out of halftime, Maine took advantage of yet another set piece, as Davis batted in the rebound. However, the River Hawks would cut the difference back to just one right at the end of the third quarter. Rozema dished to Defourt, who made a move past the last defender and ripped a reverse-stick shot hard on target to make it 3-2, but the Black Bears would hold on in the final 15 minutes for the decision.
 
The River Hawks continue their three-game homestand on Sunday, March 21 when they welcome Cal to Wicked Blue Field at 12 p.m.