LOWELL, Mass. – Redshirt freshman Nina Hertz-Saebbö (Gothenburg, Sweden) recorded one shot, as the UMass Lowell women's soccer team (1-3-0) dropped a 4-0 contest against Kansas State (4-0-0) in their fourth non-conference game of the season on Thursday night. 

The Wildcats outshot the River Hawks, 16-2, over the course of the match. The two teams were very aggressive, as Kansas State was charged with eight fouls to UMass Lowell's 15 fouls. Sophomore Rachel Welch (Franklin, Mass.) got the start in net, tallying four saves. 

Although the game started with both sides battling back and forth, the Wildcats saw the first scoring opportunity of the night. Just over 14 minutes in, the visitors broke away from the defense after receiving the ball at the top of the box. The Wildcats forward collected the ball before launching a shot to the top right corner, but Welch made an astounding leaping save to keep the visitors off the board. 

The River Hawks' defense continued to battle, but in the 28th minute, Kansas State opened the scoring, firing a shot to the right side of the net, to grab a 1-0 lead. Despite the early deficit, UMass Lowell's defense stayed connected the remainder of the half, keeping it a one-goal game heading into the break. 

UMass Lowell came out hungry for a goal at the start of the second half, with freshman Kiera Fitzpatrick (Methuen, Mass.) letting an attempt fly in the opening minutes, but the shot went just wide. Welch, meanwhile, remained composed in goal, adding a great save in the 55th minute to prevent the opposition from doubling the lead. Determined to extend the lead, Kansas State capitalized on its next scoring opportunity, as Allison Marshall registered a goal in the 61st minute off a free kick. A minute later, the Wildcats converted another chance on net, with Hannah Palmer extending the visitors' lead to 3-0. 

Looking for an answer, Hertz-Saebbö sprinted down the right side of the field with the ball in the 83rd minute before chipping a shot on net, but the Wildcats' keeper was there to get a hold of the ball and prevent UMass Lowell from getting on the board. In the closing minutes, the Wildcats found the back of the net once more, securing the 4-0 outcome on Thursday night. 

The River Hawks make their way back to Cushing Field this Sunday, August 28, when they take on Kennedy Cup rival Massachusetts. The game is set to kickoff at 6 p.m. in Lowell, Mass.