DURHAM, N.H. – Freshman Nora Belin (Stockholm, Sweden) recorded two shots on goal, as the UMass Lowell women's soccer team (4-4-3, 1-1-1 AE) played New Hampshire (3-4-3, 1-1-0 AE) close, but fell 1-0 on Thursday night in its third America East game of the season.
"I think the first half was fairly even, and UNH had a few good chances," said Head Coach Mira Novak. "We probably gifted them some with our mistakes. The second half I was pleased with our efforts and energy we brought into that half, and most of the half we spent on UNH's side. It was trying to find a way to break them down and they held firm, and unfortunately one mistake today was the game decider. Obviously, there's a point with the result, and in terms of team approach and effort we kept our standards high, but we're not able to find a solution to UNH's defense, unfortunately."
Over the course of the game, New Hampshire outshot UMass Lowell, 14-9, while the River Hawks took seven corners to the Wildcats' five. Sophomore Gaby Eckroth (Mechanicsburg, Pa.) totaled four shots throughout the match, while sophomore Rachel Welch (Franklin, Mass.) got the start in goal, making two saves on the day.
Five minutes into play, the River Hawks offered the first shot of the game, as junior Marissa Sage (Milford, N.H.) saw an opening and launched the ball past the right post of the net.
Reaching the 16th minute of the game, both sides were searching for their first goal, as Belin earned a great chance for UMass Lowell after a beautiful lead pass from senior Hilary Jaén (Las Margaritas, Panama). The forward struck the ball right by the keeper, but it hit the left post, barely missing for a near goal.
The Wildcats thought it was their turn to add a score on the board, but Welch locked in, making a clutch save in the 31st minute.
In the 41st minute, senior Maddie Guthrie (Stow, Mass.) made a great defensive play, jumping in front of a lone Wildcat to block the shot on goal, helping the River Hawks remain tied headed into the break.
To begin the second half, the Wildcats sent another shot flying towards the lower center of the net in the 52nd minute, but Welch made a diving save to keep the stalemate at 0-0. Just five minutes later, redshirt-freshman Nina Hertz-Saebbö (Gothenburg, Sweden) struck a powerful shot of her own, but it flew just left of the net.
The River Hawks earned another chance on net, with freshman Emma Theorén (Sollentuna, Vällingby) striking a ball to the low center of the goal in the 59th minute, but the home keeper was there to collect the ball.
UMass Lowell stayed aggressive over the next 20 minutes, taking five shots at the goal, but the team was unable to convert, keeping the score at 0-0 with 10 minutes left to play.
The Wildcats spotted an opportunity to capitalize in the 84th minute when freshman Abby Beasley fired into the back of the net, giving New Hampshire a 1-0 lead.
Time was ticking for UMass Lowell, as Belin looked to respond instantly, booting the ball on goal, but the Wildcats' keeper handled the ball, sealing the 1-0 victory for New Hampshire on Thursday night.
The River Hawks look ahead to next week's America East contest on Sunday, October 12, when they return home to host Binghamton at Cushing Field. The game is set to begin at 1 p.m. in Lowell, Mass.
