LOWELL, Mass. – Sophomore Berbel Rozema (Rotterdam, Netherlands) and freshman Mirthe Gans (Tiel, Netherlands) each logged three points to help propel the UMass Lowell field hockey team (1-0) to a 3-0 victory against Bryant (0-1) in the season opener on Thursday.
 
The outing marked the team's first contest in 487 days. With the decision, the River Hawks have now won seven consecutive season openers and have shut out their opponent in the last three of those.
 
"I couldn't have been happier with the full team performance today," said Head Coach Shannon LeBlanc. "They clearly came in with the intentions of winning this game and did not relent for the entire 60 minutes."
 
Rozema and Gans tallied one goal and one assist apiece on the day. Junior Hannah Keefe (Westford, Mass.) also logged a goal, while classmate Jenna Berger (Waterloo, Ontario) chipped in with an assist. Freshman goalkeeper Eleonore Boekhorst (Bilthoven, Netherlands) had to make just one save in her first collegiate win.
 
The River Hawks controlled possession the entire afternoon, limiting the Bulldogs to just one shot, while firing off 44 in their offensive end. The home team also forced an impressive 18 corners in the contest without allowing any for Bryant.
 
UMass Lowell registered its first goal of the new year on a corner opportunity in the 24th minute. On that play, Rozema received the ball at the top of the circle and dished it over to Gans, who slotted home a shot just inside the right post.
 
The River Hawks extended their margin with a pair of second-half goals. Keefe first got a stick on a ball from Gans to redirect it up into the cage and make the score 2-0 in the 49th minute. Rozema would then add another insurance goal in the 51st minute, tipping in a pass from just outside the circle by Berger.
 
Next up, the River Hawks will host Northeastern for a non-conference matchup on Friday, March 12 at 1 p.m.