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Women's Soccer
WSOC v NJIT
1
NJIT NJT (2-7-0, 0-1-0)
2
Winner UMass Lowell UML (4-3-1, 1-0-0)
NJIT NJT
(2-7-0, 0-1-0)
1
Final
2
UMass Lowell UML
(4-3-1, 1-0-0)
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
NJIT NJT 0 1 1
UMass Lowell UML 0 2 2

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Binghamton

9/26/2021 | 3:30PM

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Sep. 26 (Sun) / 3:30PM
 Binghamton
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Game Recap: Women's Soccer |

River Hawks Down NJIT 2-1 in America East Opener

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LOWELL, Mass. – Late goals by Marissa Saucedo (Ventura, Calif.) and Ioanna Papatheodorou (Nea Erithraia, Greece) helped clinch the first America East win of the season for the UMass Lowell women's soccer team (4-3-1, 1-0 AE), as they topped NJIT (2-7-0, 0-1 AE) 2-1 at Cushing Field on Sunday afternoon.  
 
All goals in the match came within a three-minute span midway through the second half. The River Hawks defense led by freshman Lisa Sjögren (Skellefteå, Sweden) limited the Highlanders to only four shots to UMass Lowell's 13. On attack, senior Emily Nelson (Peabody, Mass.) added a team-high three chances.
 
"I think it's a good way to start conference," said Head Coach Mira Novak. "Overall, I'm happy with the result. Going forward, there are bigger challenges waiting for us with Binghamton next week. We have a full week to get ready and fix some things we saw on the field today."
 
A key early move for UMass Lowell came in the 21st minute when a corner chance from the right side connected with senior Dunja Mostarac (Belgrade, Serbia) on a header but flew over the crossbar.
 
Eight minutes later, Nelson took a shot straight on net from just inside the 18-yard box but was scooped up by NJIT keeper Molly Saylor. In the 35th minute, freshman Lærke Niklasson (Roskilde, Denmark) had a chance from the same distance slotted for the low right corner, but Saylor got in front for the save yet again.
 
The River Hawks continued to dominate possession early in the second half as they turned on the offensive pressure. Nelson tried to curl the ball into the top left corner from distance in the 49th minute but narrowly missed the apex.
 
UMass Lowell broke open scoring in the 74th minute as Saucedo received a supporting through ball up the middle and buried a shot into the back of the net. Only two minutes later, the River Hawks added onto their lead. A well-driven ball from the edge of arc by Papatheodorou pinpointed the top left corner making it 2-0.
 
NJIT answered just moments later in the 77th minute with a shot by Bailey Chant. From then on, the Highlanders began to force the ball into the River Hawk final third. With time ticking away, a corner opportunity for NJIT was crossed into the box, but the River Hawks' defense stood tall to secure the 2-1 victory.
 
UMass Lowell returns home next Sunday, Sept. 26, when Binghamton visits Cushing Field at 3:30 p.m. to continue conference play.
 
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Players Mentioned

Marissa Saucedo

#2 Marissa Saucedo

F
5' 4"
Sophomore
Emily Nelson

#4 Emily Nelson

M
5' 3"
Senior
Ioanna Papatheodorou

#8 Ioanna Papatheodorou

F
5' 5"
Freshman
Lærke Niklasson

#9 Lærke Niklasson

F
5' 4"
Freshman
Dunja Mostarac

#22 Dunja Mostarac

D
5' 5"
Senior
Lisa Sjögren

#34 Lisa Sjögren

GK
5' 8"
Freshman

Players Mentioned

Marissa Saucedo

#2 Marissa Saucedo

5' 4"
Sophomore
F
Emily Nelson

#4 Emily Nelson

5' 3"
Senior
M
Ioanna Papatheodorou

#8 Ioanna Papatheodorou

5' 5"
Freshman
F
Lærke Niklasson

#9 Lærke Niklasson

5' 4"
Freshman
F
Dunja Mostarac

#22 Dunja Mostarac

5' 5"
Senior
D
Lisa Sjögren

#34 Lisa Sjögren

5' 8"
Freshman
GK