LOWELL, Mass. – Following a win in the season opener last Friday, the UMass Lowell women's lacrosse team (1-0) prepares for two games at home, beginning with a local matchup against the Merrimack Warriors (0-1) on Wednesday, February 11, before welcoming #15 Yale (0-0) to town on Saturday, February 14.

LAST TIME OUT
Last Friday, the River Hawks earned a 13-6 victory to open up the 2026 regular season. Against the Jaspers, junior Chloe Bowers (Whitefish Bay, Wis.) scored a game-high four points off three goals and an assist, one of eight River Hawks to record at least a point. Right behind her, freshman Brienne Brezynskie (Elmira, Ontario) totaled three goals in her first career game, while sophomore Georgia Ruscitti (Toronto, Ontario) added two goals and an assist. Freshman Leah Verespy (Perkasie, Pa.) added the first two goals of her career, senior Grace Lydon (Rowley, Mass.) and freshman Ada Krupa (East Irondequoit, N.Y.) both chipped in a goal and an assist, and sophomore Coco Clopton (Swampscott, Mass.) added her first career goal. In net, junior Alexa Kuhn (Rocky Point, N.Y.) made 11 saves for a .647 save percentage.

LEADING THE FLOCK
Following the opening week, Bowers paces the squad with four points, while Brezynskie is tied with her for a team-best three goals. Leading the squad on the draw, Lydon totals five draw controls, while Brezynskie also leads the team with two caused turnovers. In net, Kuhn not only posts 11 saves, but leads her team with six ground balls collected, so far.

WEEKLY WINNERS
After a pair of excellent performances in week one, Kuhn was named the America East Goalkeeper of the Week while Brezynskie was tabbed the conference's Rookie of the Week. Against the Jaspers, Kuhn started her season strong in net, allowing only six goals while making 11 saves on 28 shots faced, good for a .647 save percentage and her 17^th career double-digit save performance. Meanwhile, Brezynskie left her mark in her first collegiate game, posting a hat trick, including the game-winner. Not only impressing on the offensive end, but she also filled up the box score all over the field, tallying two ground balls, two caused turnovers, and two draw controls.

SCOUTING MERRIMACK
Merrimack enters Wednesday's game coming off a 13-10 loss to Monmouth University at home last week. Leading the Warriors on offense were Lindsay Atkinson and Hailey Schnider, who both posted two goals and two assists for four points. Also finding the back of the net, Sophia Ingenito, Alli Lamphere, and Mia Estelle all added a pair of goals each. In net, Hannah Lawrence played all 60 minutes, making 12 saves while giving up 13 goals in the loss.

SCOUTING #15 YALE
The Bulldogs, who have yet to play a game this season, are coming off a 16-4 campaign in 2025 that ended in an 18-11 loss to #2 Boston College in the NCAA Tournament Quarterfinals. With a large part of last season's offense gone, Ashley Kiernan, who finished with 11 goals and 12 assists for 23 points, is the team's top returning point scorer. In net, Niamh Pfaff was one of two primary goalkeepers for the Bulldogs last season, making 11 saves in 17 appearances, totaling 80 saves while allowing 11 goals for a .419 save percentage.

MATCHUP HISTORY
The River Hawks and Warriors have faced off five times, with the River Hawks owning a perfect 5-0 record in those games, winning by an average of 8.0 goals per game. UMass Lowell and Yale, meanwhile, faced off for the first time last season, with the Bulldogs pulling out a 16-6 victory at home.