LOWELL, Mass. – Sophomore Gaby Eckroth (Mechanicsburg, Pa.) recorded two shots over the course of the game, as the UMass Lowell women's soccer team (4-5-3) (1-2-1) kept the contest against Binghamton (9-1-3) (4-0-1) tight before falling, 1-0, on Sunday afternoon in the fourth America East game of the season.
"Both teams played a hard game, and we look at the result and the difference maker here is a corner kick in the second minute," said Head Coach Mira Novak. "So, I think that's just how the margins were. Binghamton was probably a little better in the first half, and I think we were a little bit hesitant, especially the way we wanted to defend and press. In the second half we were a goal down, so we had to go out and be a bit more proactive. Glad we were able to get it into the box and create some chances. Unfortunately we weren't able to find a goal. Unfortunate, obviously again, but we have two more games this week, so we are looking at this week as a whole and not just this game. So, assuming we have two more games to focus on this week."
The Bearcats took a slight, 13-8 shot advantage with seven corners to UMass Lowell's three during the contest. Senior Kirti Craig (Spotswood, N.J.) also struck two shots throughout today's match, while sophomore Rachel Welch (Franklin, Mass.) got the start in goal, registering five saves.
Both sides came out strong early, as it did not take long for the Bearcats to get on the board. Sophomore Anna Buckwalter soared the ball in off a corner for sophomore Alexus Worrell to put the finishing touch on it, giving the visitors a 1-0 lead in the third minute. However, not even a minute later, UMass Lowell was looking for a response, with junior Marissa Sage (Milford, N.H.) launching the ball, but it went high right of the net.
A free kick opportunity for Binghamton gave the visitors a good look on net to add to the margin, but Welch was there to make a big save at the bottom center of the goal in the 8th minute.
The game remained steady for either side, as they both were locked in defensively for the next 30 minutes of play. The Bearcats saw one final attempt in the half, as a shot was fired at Welch, but the sophomore handled the ball cleanly to keep her team within one at the break.
The River Hawks, seeking their first score of the game, opened the second half with a shot by Eckroth on net in the 48th minute, but the Bearcats' keeper stepped in front to make the save.
In the 58th minute, the Bearcats almost capitalized on a shot on goal, but a huge team save from sophomore Nuala Rodgers (Dedham, Mass.) helped keep the River Hawks alive with 30 minutes remaining. Craig dribbled the ball down the left side, ripping a shot to the top of the goal in the 62nd minute, but the visiting keeper shut down another opportunity.
A couple of clutch saves from Welch around the 70-minute mark would keep the score the same, but the time was slowly fading for the River Hawks. With only ten minutes remaining, freshman Nora Belin (Stockholm, Sweden) gathered the ball after a nice pass from Eckroth on the left side, as she struck a quick shot in the 83rd minute that zoomed just left of the goal, barely missing for the equalizer.
Eckroth saw one last chance to tie the game up, unleashing a powerful kick in the 86th minute, but the ball flew left of the goal, giving Binghamton enough time to escape with a 1-0 outcome on Sunday.
The River Hawks are back in action on Thursday, October 16, when they host the defending America East Champions, Maine, at Cushing Field. The match is set to begin at 6 p.m. in Lowell, Mass. Admission is free all season thanks to Eastern Salt and Mahoney Oil.
