Photo courtesy of UMASS Lowell Atheltics
UMASS Lowell Athletics
HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. – Freshman Torrie Huk (Milford, Del.) logged a season-high two goals for the UMass Lowell field hockey team (5-2) in a 3-2 loss at Hofstra (5-3) on Friday.
“It’s unfortunate that all the good hockey we have been playing over the past six games came to an end today,” said Head Coach Shannon Hlebichuk. “We were out worked and we were outplayed by a very fast and skilled Hofstra team during the first half. We made some changes in the second half with regards to our mentality and work rate, and put ourselves back in a position to make the game competitive. We were reminded today that the game is 70 minutes long and not 35.”
The Pride attacked quickly with the first nine shots of the contest in the opening minutes, although the River Hawks played solid defense to absorb the pressure.
Junior Eleonore Agneessens (Brussels, Belgium) logged the first attempt for the River Hawks in the outing, but it skidded just wide. With 17:20 remaining in the first half, senior Jenna Freitas (Manchester, N.H.) threatened with a shot into the pads of goalkeeper Carys Swan before following up with another chance off the rebound.
The home team broke the game open with less than two minutes remaining in the first half on goal by Stella Schoen that was assisted by Claudia Marin Samper.
The River Hawks went on the offensive in the early part of the second half, knotting the score at 1-1. Following a blocked shot, Huk collected the loose ball in the circle and maneuvered around the opposing keeper to find the back of the cage.
Hofstra would pull back in front, however, on a deflection by Schoen just over five minutes later. Madison Sauve then added her first career goal to make the score 3-1 in favor of the Pride with 25:26 left to play.
UMass Lowell battled back and cut the difference to just one at 11:36 in the second, as Freitas pushed a pass across the front of the cage to Huk, who finished it off with a tip on goal. The team forced two corners in the final minute of the game, including one with no time left on the clock, but Hofstra was able to hang on for the 3-2 decision.
Sophomore goalkeeper Kelsey Federico (Windham, N.H.) totaled six saves in the decision, while senior Marzana Fiedtkou (Georgetown, Guyana) logged one defensive save.
Friday’s contest marked the sixth meeting between UMass Lowell and Hofstra. The Pride now own a 5-0-1 lead in the all-time series. The River Hawks are off until next Saturday, September 26 when they wrap up their four-game road swing and open America East play at New Hampshire beginning at 2 p.m.