Box Score LOWELL, Mass. – Graduate student
Taylor Burgess (Mendon, Mass.) made eight saves in net, as Maine (7-1-2, 3-0 AE) collected the 1-0 America East victory versus UMass Lowell (1-8-2, 0-2-0 AE) on Thursday evening at Alumni Field.
"We played a top team in the league today and knew it would be hard to get a result on their turf," said Head Coach
Mira Novak. "I am proud of our fight and determination. Unfortunately, we came up short as we allowed their striker to turn on the ball at the top of the box. We created some opportunities of our own off second balls and set pieces and I cannot blame our players for the lack of fight, but rather just quality in the final phase of using these moments to then convert to chances. We have a tough job to do at Albany on Sunday and I hope we can take the fighting spirit from today into that game to get a win."
The Black Bears were credited with 17 shots, while the River Hawks fired off four. Senior
Laura Cetina (A Coruña, Galicia, Spain) finished the night with two chances to lead the River Hawks offensively.
The contest consisted of an abundance of whistles, with each team totaling 16 fouls.
Sophomore
Luka Marceau (Newton, Mass.) released the first shot for UMass Lowell at the 21st-minute mark, missing just right of the post.
Burgess found herself surrounded by Black Bears in the 30th minute, as they were able to bounce the ball past her, but she would quickly pivot and swat the ball away, making an incredible one-handed save.
The River Haws then fed the ball to freshman
Nuala Rodgers (Dedham, Mass.), who rushed up the right side of the field with just a couple of Black Bears in the distance and launched a shot in the 40th minute, but it soared into the keeper's arms.
UMass Lowell and Maine went into the break with an even score of 0-0.
The second half began with the same quickness as the first. In the 56th minute, Abby Kraemer of Maine broke by a River Hawk defender, knocking the ball into the lower right corner of the net and securing the lead for the Black Bears, 1-0.
UMass Lowell received five free kicks before junior Hilary Jaén (Las Margaritas, Panama) floated the ball into the box, finding the head of Cetina, who fired the ball just high in the 67th minute.
Cetina would go on to take the final UMass Lowell shot of the game, sailing high of the net in the 86th minute.
The River Hawks fought to the buzzer, but were unable to find the back of the net, resulting in a 1-0 decision for the Black Bears.
The River Hawks continue their road swing on Sunday, Oct. 6, as they head to New York to take on UAlbany at Bob Ford Field kicking off at 4 p.m.
