UMass Lowell Connector Logo

Women’s lacrosse earns first Division I win

Women’s lacrosse ends a 20-game losing streak that started with the first game of the 2015 season. (Photo courtesy of UMass Lowell Athletics)

Alexa Hyde
Connector Staff

The UMass Lowell women’s lacrosse team earned their first Division I win in program history with a 12-8 victory over the Siena Saints Wednesday afternoon at Wicked Blue Field.

The contest featured five points from freshman midfielder Kristina Keith and a hat trick from freshman midfielder Kelly Moran. Sophomore goalie Courtney Barrett earned 11 saves throughout the match to secure the River Hawk victory.

“A very long time coming,” Head Coach Carissa Medeiros said. “Our girls took the game at the very beginning and we dominated. We played exactly how we talked about at practice.”

Siena scored just two minutes into the game, but the River Hawks answered with a goal by the game’s leading scorer, Keith, to tie it up. The River Hawks added another goal just minutes later and kept the lead for the rest of the game.

The first half saw eight goals by the River Hawks and ten shots on goal. Siena struggled to contain UMass Lowell’s dynamic offense, which featured four goals from Keith in the half and gave the River Hawks an 8-3 lead at the break.

On the defensive side of the game, UMass Lowell kept the Saints to just six shots on goal and only three goals during the first half. Barrett notched several key saves in the half to allow UMass Lowell to keep the lead. The River Hawks were also dominant against Siena’s free position attempts, blocking two shots in the first half.

UMass Lowell controlled the draw throughout the first half as well, earning possession on nine out of twelve draws to start the game.

The second half began with Siena coming out strong, quickly earning two early goals in the half. However, UMass Lowell kept momentum up offensively and was able to answer Siena within the first few minutes. The River Hawks took 11 shots in the period and scored four goals to maintain their lead.

The Saints controlled the draw and ground balls in the second half, but UMass Lowell’s defense was able to limit Siena’s movement on the ball and was once again able to block several shots. Siena had 16 shots in the half, but the River Hawks allowed only five goals in the half. Barrett saw another strong half in net, refusing the allow Siena to score in the final minutes.

With the win, the River Hawks improve to 1-3, while the Saints fall to 2-1.

UMass Lowell returns to action at Wicked Blue Field on Sunday at 3 p.m. to face Sacred Heart.

Related posts