(Photo courtesy of UML athletics) “UML won big against LIU.”
Jake Messer
Connector Editor
The UMass Lowell Women’s Lacrosse team is off to another hot start this season, with their most recent win coming against LIU at home. The 15-6 victory made a statement, that this team is not to be trifled with this season.
Last season was a history-making one, as the River Hawks put in their best season in program history, going 12-6 and almost making their American East Championship Finals. Coming up short is tough to come back from, but it appears that this group has already moved on.
“It’s a blend of excitement and opportunity, and there’s an understanding that we must continue to develop,” said Head Coach Lisa Miller. “We know no one’s going to give you anything in this conference.”
With the aforementioned win against LIU, their record this season is now 3-0 for the second consecutive year. They also had dominant showings against Manhattan, a game they won 13-5 and Merrimack, 17-8.
The key to their success has been an extremely potent, unrelenting offensive bombardment from their attackers.
Senior Jade Catlin has been on fire to start this season. In just three games she has scored 10 goals on 18 shots, while dishing out 2 assists and collecting 5 ground balls. Picking up right where she left off, she appears to be the superstar that this team can follow deep into the playoffs this season.
Speaking of last season, Catlin scored an unbelievable 48 goals in 18 games last season, a joint record she shared with one of her teammates.
That teammate being sophomore Chloe Bowers. This season, Bowers has scored 8 goals in just three games, while also providing two assists.
As a sophomore, Bowers has already solidified herself as a star player and will look to be even better this season as she continues to get better. If her freshman year goal tally of 48 goals is only the beginning, then the River Hawks better get some ink, because there will be a lot of new records they will need to write down.
Another player that is carrying over their form from last season is junior Macy Shultz. In her three starts this season, she has scored 7 goals on just 10 shots, provided 3 assists and has also won 5 ground balls as well. Productive and efficient.
Last season, she was able to score 20 goals in 18 games, an impressive performance for her first season as a backup attacker.
If this trio can play like last season, there are few teams with the firepower to keep up with the River Hawks. They might not have the most complete, well-rounded team in the conference, but they will surely be one of the most feared come playoff time.
Looking ahead, The River Hawks will play against Stonehill on Wednesday afternoon in North Easton. They will then come back home for the weekend and play Yale for their official home-opener this season.
Next weekend, they will head to New York and play Siena. A tough game that could be a season defining one for the team. After this crucial game, the River Hawks will then head back home, signaling the start of a three-game homestead, beginning with Quinnipiac.
