LOWELL, Mass. – Freshmen Marissa Saucedo (Ventura, Calif.) and Rakel Stefansdottir (Hauganes, Iceland) scored first half goals and UMass Lowell turned in a strong defensive effort as the River Hawks posted a 2-0 victory over Maine on Sunday afternoon at Cushing Field.
 
After the River Hawks blanked New Hampshire last Sunday, the team welcomed the Black Bears to shut out their second-straight America East opponent on home field. With the win, UMass Lowell improves to 3-1-1 overall and 2-0-0 in conference action, while Maine drops to 0-4-1 and 0-2-1.
 
"Maine came here looking for a win and they were ready to fight for it," commented head coach Mira Novak. "We were a bit sluggish to start, but I was very happy with our turn-around performance in getting the victory. The freshmen have come in with a game-set attitude, taking in information every week. The fact that they scored both of the goals today, speaks volumes in itself."
 
The River Hawks got on the board in the 33rd minute as sophomore Anna Edson (Beverly, Mass.) rocked a pass from just over center field to Saucedo, who made a sliding tackle past the legs of the Black Bear goalkeeper and into the center of the net.   
 
Stefansdottir doubled the home team advantage just seven minutes later, taking a pass from Saucedo and redirecting it just over the head of keeper Kira Kutzinski.
 
Saucedo and Steffansdottir's tallies mark the first of their career as River Hawks.
 
That was it for the offensive connection as both teams played staunch second-half defense to keep each other from advancing. The Black Bears saw 14 shots with six of them on goal, while the River Hawks managed eight shots with four on goal.
 
UMass Lowell goalkeeper, Taylor Burgess, was once again stellar in net, recording her third-straight clean sheet of the season. The Mendon, Mass. native topped her season-high from the last time out with eight saves, including six in the second frame. Zutzinski posted six overall for the Black Bears.  
 
The River Hawks return to action on Sunday afternoon when they travel to N.Y. for a matchup with the Great Danes. Game time is set for 3 p.m. on Varsity Field.