NEWARK, N.J. – Senior Hope Santaniello (Agawam, Mass.) and graduate student Calliste Brookshire (Kingston, Mass.) were the goal scorers in Sunday's contest, as UMass Lowell (4-9-2, 3-3-0 AE) shutout NJIT (3-10-2, 0-5-1 AE), 2-0, in America East play at Lubetkin Field.

"I'm really happy for the team, another team performance, and the third win in a row. I cannot point the win to one player because today it was about being patient and being able to break the front line of NJIT," said Head Coach Mira Novak. "In the first half, we got a little bit panicky when we broke the press, forcing low-quality shots. In the second half, we made adjustments adhering to instructions, resulting in the goals. I'm really proud of the midfield, backline, and Taylor because they did not allow NJIT any transitional moments, which they are very good at, so I give them credit for staying focused for 90 minutes."

Graduate student Taylor Burgess (Mendon, Mass.) made five saves in goal, helping guide the River Hawks to victory.

UMass Lowell outshot NJIT, 24-9, as Brookshire totaled six, and Santaniello and senior Laura Cetina (A Coruña, Galicia, Spain) finished with three each.

As Novak mentioned, UMass Lowell's backline played a huge role in limiting the number of shots NJIT received, with junior Maddie Guthrie (Stow, Mass.) and junior Megan Banzi (Plymouth, Mass.) making several stops for the River Hawks.

Santaniello and Brookshire were strong from the jump. Santaniello tested the Highlanders in the second minute, sending her first shot wide. Brookshire would be next with a shot in the 10^th minute off a free kick, but it was picked up by the keeper.

It was Cetina's turn in the 18^th minute, as she darted up to the ball at the top of the box, sending in a hard attempt with her right foot that clipped the top of the net. Less than 10 minutes later, Brookshire was up again, as she launched the ball from the left side of the turf, smacking the far side post in the 27^th minute.

Senior Emma Mitchell (West Orange, N.J.) followed with a try of her own, sailing the ball just over the net in the 28^th minute. Another quality shot came from Kirti Craig in the 36^th minute from long range, but it was collected by the keeper, as UMass Lowell and NJIT headed into the break scoreless.

Sophomore Marissa Sage (Milford, N.H.) would get the second half started, as she ripped a shot onto the top of the net in the 47^th minute. Next, junior Hilary Jaén (Las Margaritas, Panama) had an opportunity at the 56^th-minute mark, releasing a strong shot high of the crossbar.

After multiple River Hawk shots, Brookshire sent a cross into the box, as Santaniello was racing towards net. Santaniello was able to get ahold of the ball and knock it past the keeper in the 63^rd minute to record a UMass Lowell goal and make it 1-0.  

Santaniello would try for another, receiving a ball from Brookshire, but lofting it just over the net in the 70^th minute. Brookshire continued to dominate the field, as she weaved around the Highlanders' defenders to rip a shot with her left foot at the top of the 18, recording the second River Hawk goal of the day in the 80^th minute and stretching the margin to 2-0.

The time would run out, with the River Hawks defeating the Highlanders, 2-0, on the road.

"I think this week showed us what this team is capable of. We were in a tough situation and the fact that we went through the whole week and last three games without conceding a goal and scoring some good ones, creating more chances today, I'm really happy about that," added Novak.

UMass Lowell is back on the road on Sunday, October 27, as the River Hawks will face Binghamton kicking off at 1 p.m. at the Bearcats Sports Complex.