WEST HAVEN, Conn. – Freshman Nora Belin (Stockholm, Sweden) posted a season-high two goals, while also scoring in her second consecutive game, as the UMass Lowell women's soccer team (3-3-2) secured a 5-1 victory at New Haven (0-5) in their final game of the non-conference season on Sunday afternoon.
"We had a great start to the game and scored a couple of goals early from Nora," said Head Coach Mira Novak. "I liked the mentality from the team that they wanted to go and be decisive. I think everyone who came on expressed what they can do. So, happy with the result, the performance and finishing non-conference on a strong note. It's a little unfortunate we conceded a goal, but when I asked the team today to go and win the game and find a way, I'm glad they were able to find it early and put us in a pretty good position for the rest of the game."
The River Hawks controlled possession in the contest, outshooting the Chargers, 57-4. UMass Lowell also had 10 corners to New Haven's two. Sophomore Gaby Eckroth (Mechanicsburg, Pa.) also recorded a personal-best two goals in the outing. Sophomore Nuala Rodgers (Dedham, Mass.) tallied the first goal of her career, as well. Freshman Kiera Fitzpatrick (Methuen, Mass.) and senior Kirti Craig (Spotswood, N.J.) each earned the first assist of their careers, while freshman Lucie Chumanová (Prague, Czech Republic) got her second start of the season in net today, registering one save.
UMass Lowell came out hungry on the opening kickoff when Belin dribbled down, striking a shot inside the box that was saved. Belin quickly rebounded the ball and knocked it into the lower right of the net, giving UMass Lowell an early lead in the second minute, 1-0. Five minutes later, Belin saw another opportunity after Fitzpatrick found the forward open in the middle of the box, netting her second goal of the game and increasing the River Hawks' lead to 2-0.
Heavy in the offensive zone, the River Hawks saw another chance to extend the lead in the 12th minute, as junior Diana Jedrychowski (Farmington, Conn.) ripped a shot on goal, but it struck the crossbar just missing.
New Haven started clicking on defense for the next 20 minutes, until the River Hawks earned a corner kick in the 39th minute. Craig distributed the ball to Rodgers in the left corner, launching an amazing curved shot over the keeper's head for a UMass Lowell goal, making it 3-0 before closing the first half.
The River Hawks opened the second half striking four shots on goal in the first seven minutes, but the Chargers were aware defensively, turning down every attempt. In the 53rd minute, New Haven posted its first goal of the game, as junior Emma Mitchell was able to get on the board and make it 3-1.
Although the score remained the same for the next 15 minutes, the River Hawks took advantage of an opportunity to respond in the 71st minute after Eckroth spun into the middle, pushing the ball up field before ripping it at the goal and hitting the back of the net to extend the advantage to 4-1. Eckroth, active on the offensive end, saw another attempt on net in the 80th minute when the forward rebounded a saved shot, putting the finishing touch on her second goal of the game, 5-1.
The Chargers were seeking a late comeback when they struck a shot on net in the 88th minute, but Chumanová made a big save at the bottom center, helping the River Hawks keep the 5-1 edge until time expired.
The River Hawks look ahead to their next match on Sunday, September 21, when they host NJIT at Cushing Field, in their first conference game of the season. The game is set to start at 3 p.m. in Lowell, Mass. Admission is free all season thanks to Eastern Salt and Mahoney Oil.
"We're looking forward to starting conference play," said Novak. "I think the last eight games that we had in non-conference has been very productive and we found new things about our players. I hope that we can keep rising and keep getting better as we hit conference play and start with NJIT next week."
