LOWELL, Mass. – Sophomore Gaby Eckroth (Mechanicsburg, Pa.) scored a goal in today's contest, as the UMass Lowell women's soccer team (6-5-4, 3-2-2 AE) earned a 3-1 victory against UAlbany (2-12-2, 1-6 AE) in their final home game of the regular season on Sunday afternoon.
"To me, I think Senior Day is emotional," said Head Coach Mira Novak. "We had a great start, but then a mistake, so i think it took us a little while to make decisions, and connect the way that we can in the first half. Maybe it was the pregame ceremony, but I'm just glad in the second half we were able to come out, take over the game, and score a couple of goals to put the game away. Happy with that, and again a slower start today, but glad we were able to get into the next gear in the second half."
The River Hawks outshot the Great Danes, 22-9, over the course of the game, while also leading in corners taken, 7-3. Senior Kirti Craig (Spotswood, N.H.) recorded her first collegiate goal, while senior Sophie St. George (Walpole, Mass.) and Eckroth each added an assist on the goal, marking the first point of the season for St. George. Freshman Nora Belin (Stockholm, Sweden) registered her sixth goal of the season in today's match, while seniors Megan Banzi (Plymouth, Mass.), Hilary Jaén (Las Margaritas, Panama), and Maddie Guthrie (Stow, Mass.) each tallied an assist as well. In goal, sophomore Rachel Welch (Franklin, Mass.) started between the posts, collecting four saves.
The River Hawks began the game with a great opportunity to jump in front, as Eckroth found St. George, who then dished the ball to Craig. The midfielder then dribbled the ball down the left side, ripping the ball just past the Great Danes' keeper for a 1-0 lead less than two minutes in. It didn't take long for UAlbany to answer, though, as they scored in the seventh minute to knot the game up at 1-1 . The River Hawks stayed aggressive, with Craig and Banzi striking two shots over the next five minutes of play. but the visiting keeper turned them both away.
The Great Danes earned another chance in the 21st minute, but Welch stood her ground, making a big save to keep the score even halfway through the first half. The River Hawks, meanwhile, continued to put pressure on the opposing defense, with Belin taking a shot from outside the box in the 32nd minute, but it was quickly denied. Coming up on the final minute of the first half, UAlbany struck a shot on goal that Welch was able to get her hands on, setting her squad up with one last scoring opportunity. Wasting no time, UMass Lowell quickly ran down the field, firing an attempt on net from junior Luka Marceau (Newton, Mass.), but it was rejected, keeping the scored even heading into halftime.
The Great Danes came out strong, ripping a shot on target in the opening minutes of the second half. The River Hawks' defense stood strong though, allowing only one more shot for nearly 25 minutes of action. Meanwhile, another opportunity for the River Hawks presented itself after Banzi received the ball on the right side, curving it into Eckroth, who tapped in the go-ahead goal, 2-1, for UMass Lowell in the 62nd minute.
The River Hawks were eager to push their lead, as a shot from senior Nadja Andersen (Nakskov, Denmark) was taken in the 76th minute, hitting right of the left post for a near goal. Less than 10 minutes later, Belin saw a chance to add to her team's lead, as Guthrie soared in a corner to Jaén, who then found Belin, netting the third UMass Lowell goal of the match, and sealing the 3-1 victory over UAlbany.
The River Hawks prepare for their final game of the regular season this Thursday, October 30, as the team travels to Smithfield, R.I., taking on Bryant. The match will begin at 6:00 p.m. at Beirne Stadium.
"We are at the end of the season so the games are coming," said Novak. "You want to be playing in November, and right now we are, so happy with that. Bryant is the only team in the conference we haven't played yet, so we'll prepare for that game. A well coached team, and they can change game-to-game. I would say we know them pretty well, but every game they surprise you with something. As you've learned in this conference, anyone can beat anyone. We are in charge of our own process, and controlling what we can control. We'll get ready for Thursday, and hopefully finish the regular season on a strong note, and get ready to go into playoffs."
