WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Sophomore Karlijn Kerkhof (Rotterdam, Netherlands) slotted home a goal for the UMass Lowell field hockey team (2-4) in a 9-1 setback at ACC foe Wake Forest (4-2) on Sunday afternoon.
 
"The first quarter was a blow to all of our egos," said Head Coach Shannon LeBlanc. "We were caught on our heels and couldn't get out of the quicksand we buried ourselves in. I appreciate how we regrouped after that quarter and played with resilience throughout the rest of the game. We have some things to work out over the next week, however the character that we showed after that first quarter will be something we can use to our advantage going forward."
 
Kerkhof totaled a team-best four shots on the day, while senior Madison Leeper (East Amherst, N.Y.) added two. Freshman goalkeeper Veerle Mous (Breda, Netherlands) registered a season-high 14 saves, as well.
 
Wake Forest quickly attacked with the first four shots of the day, putting them all on target. Mous stayed strong, turning away the first three chances, but Lauren Storey was able to redirect an attempt from Faye Janse just by the keeper to put the home side in front, 1-0, less than three minutes into play.
 
The River Hawks retaliated with a pair of corners followed by good chances on cage from Kerkhof and Leeper before the Demon Deacons added four more goals to stretch the difference to 5-0 after one quarter. Then in the 16^th minute, Logan Marthinus weaved through traffic and fired to make it 6-0.
 
UMass Lowell continued to battle, though, earning a corner and converting on it in the 22^nd minute, when freshman Rena Pistilli (Lambaré, Paraguay) dished over to Kerkhof, who sent a blazing slap shot just inside the near post to put the River Hawks on the board and break up an 11-quarter shutout streak for the Demon Deacons. However, the home team was able to add one more score before the break off the stick of Mia Montag in the 29^th minute to take a 7-1 advantage into halftime.
 
Sophomore Alice Van Hemelen (Tervuren, Belgium) dribbled into the circle and put a quick strike on the ball, but sent it just wide in the 34^th minute. The River Hawk defense held steady for the remainder of the third, as Mous came up with five stops in the quarter.
 
Storey struck again for Wake Forest to start the fourth before Mia Schoenbeck added a penalty stroke goal to seal the 9-1 outcome.
 
The River Hawks, having completed a three-game road trip, head home to take on New Haven on Friday, September 19 at 7 p.m. Admission is free all season thanks to Eastern Salt and Mahoney Oil.