No. 1 River Hawks Set to Host No. 5 Vermont in America East Semifinal

LOWELL, Mass. – The top-seeded UMass Lowell field hockey team (10-7) is set to host No. 5 Vermont (12-5) in the America East Championship semifinals on Tuesday, November 3 at 1 p.m. at Wicked Blue Field.

PLAYOFF PICTURE
The River Hawks enter the postseason after capturing their first outright America East regular-season title and earning a first-round bye. The winner of Tuesday's matchup will advance to the America East Championship game on Friday, Nov. 6.

RIVER HAWK REWIND
The River Hawks defeated UAlbany, 2-0, in their regular-season finale on October 29 to clinch the America East regular-season title. Senior Florine Gerrits (Amstelveen, Netherlands) led the way with a goal and an assist, while sophomore Rena Pistilli (Lambaré, Paraguay) added an insurance goal. Senior Alice Van Hemelen (Tervuren, Belgium) and freshman Frédèrique van den Dungen (Rosmalen, Netherlands) each tallied an assist, while sophomore goalkeepers Veerle Mous (Breda, Netherlands) and Megan MacMiller (Tarzana, Calif.) combined for three saves in the shutout victory.

LEADING THE FLOCK
Junior Audrey Carter (Dover, N.H.) leads the River Hawks with 17 points on six goals and five assists. Rena Pistilli boasts a team-high eight goals and 18 points, while Alice Van Hemelen follows with 16 points on six goals and four assists. Senior Karli Penrod (Seaford, Del.) has added 14 points on six goals and two assists, while freshman Frédèrique van den Dungen (Rosmalen, Netherlands) leads the squad with eight assists. In the cage, sophomores Veerle Mous (Breda, Netherlands) and Megan MacMiller (Tarzana, Calif.) have split time throughout the season, helping the River Hawks hold opponents to just 1.24 goals per game.

SCOUTING VERMONT
The Catamounts enter Tuesday's semifinal following a 2-0 victory over No. 4 New Hampshire in Sunday's America East quarterfinal. Vermont finished the regular season with a 12-5 overall record and a 2-3 mark in conference play. The Catamounts have allowed just 15 goals in 16 regular-season games for a 0.94 goals-against average. Vermont also recorded nine shutouts during that stretch.

SERIES HISTORY
The River Hawks will look to avenge a 1-0 setback against Vermont earlier this season on Oct. 9 in Burlington. UMass Lowell is 11-17-1 all-time against the Catamounts.

CHAMPIONSHIP CHASE
This marks the second time in program history that UMass Lowell has earned the No. 1 seed in the America East Championship. The team is looking for its first postseason victory at the Division I level.

HOME SWEET HOME
The River Hawks have dominated at Wicked Blue Field this season, posting a 7-1 record on their home turf. UMass Lowell has outscored opponents 25-5 in those contests and will look to continue its home-field success in Tuesday's semifinal matchup.

ALL-CONFERENCE ACCOLADES
Six River Hawks earned America East All-Conference honors following the regular season. Alice Van Hemelen was named America East Midfielder of the Year, while Head Coach Shannon LeBlanc and her staff earned Coaching Staff of the Year honors. Van Hemelen was joined by Karli Penrod and Rena Pistilli on the All-Conference First Team. Frédèrique van den Dungen earned Second Team and All-Rookie honors, while freshman Mae Kemps (Vught, Netherlands) was also selected to the All-Rookie Team. Van Hemelen and senior Christina Wagner (Cicero, N.Y.) rounded out the accolades with All-Academic Team selections.

DEFENSIVE DISRUPTION
The River Hawks have been one of the America East's strongest defensive teams in 2026, allowing just 1.24 goals per game during the regular season. UMass Lowell has also limited opponents to 9.5 shots per game, while maintaining a +5.6 shot margin. Sophomores Veerle Mous (Breda, Netherlands) and Megan MacMiller (Tarzana, Calif.) have anchored the defensive unit in the cage, while senior Christina Wagner (Cicero, N.Y.) leads the squad with two defensive saves.

CORNER CRASHERS
UMass Lowell has been particularly effective defending penalty corners this season, allowing just seven goals on 66 opposing corner opportunities for a 90% defensive success rate. The River Hawks have also found success offensively on corners, including both goals in their regular-season finale against UAlbany.

HAT TRICK HEROES
Rena Pistilli recorded her first career hat trick in the River Hawks' 4-0 shutout victory at New Hampshire on October 16, converting on three penalty corner opportunities. Sophomore Alexa Guarneri (Hockessin, Del.) also recorded a hat trick earlier this season in the team's victory over New Haven on September 11.

WEEKLY AWARDS
Senior Alice Van Hemelen (Tervuren, Belgium) was named America East Defensive Player of the Week on October 27 after scoring a goal and helping limit Maine to just two shots on goal. Sophomore Rena Pistilli (Lambaré, Paraguay) earned Offensive Player of the Week honors on October 20 following her hat trick at New Hampshire. Freshman Frédèrique van den Dungen (Rosmalen, Netherlands) earned Defensive Player of the Week honors on October 6, while sophomore Megan MacMiller (Tarzana, Calif.) and sophomore Veerle Mous (Breda, Netherlands) have each received Goalkeeper of the Week recognition this season.

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Players Mentioned

Audrey Carter

Florine Gerrits

Alexa Guarneri

Mae Kemps

Megan MacMiller

Veerle Mous

Karli Penrod

Rena Pistilli

Alice Van Hemelen

Christina Wagner

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