FINAL SCORE: Vermont 1, UMass Lowell 2

LOWELL, MA –Vermont (6-6, 1-1 AE) fell short in a late comeback attempt, losing its first conference game late Friday afternoon to UMass Lowell (7-5, 2-0 AE) at Wicked Blue Field.

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Box Score 

COACH'S QUOTE
"We are frustrated with the result today," said head coach Kate Pfeifer. "I thought UMass Lowell played a tough match and leveled up in the second half. We had a great first quarter, including a beautiful goal that was disallowed, and unfortunately had major lapses in our connection that Lowell capitalized on, leaving us chasing the game. Ultimately, corner execution was the deciding factor." 

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Though the first quarter ended scoreless, the Catamounts controlled the play, earning three short corners and two shots on goal.

• The River Hawks scored the first goal in the 17th minute when sophomore Kalijn Kerkhof set up junior Florine Gerrits off a short corner. Gerrits ripped the ball into the back of the net to give the River Hawks the 1-0 lead.

• In the 23rd and 25th minutes of the game, sophomore Merle Vaandrager made a series of saves to keep the Catamounts within one. 

• The Catamounts' best chance in the third quarter came when sophomore Lara Cleophas fired a sizzling shot from the top of the circle that sailed just wide.

• The River Hawks added an insurance goal in the 54th minute, as senior Madison Leeper capitalized on a rebound to make it 2–0.

• In the 57th minute, junior Consu de Castro scored the lone goal for the Catamounts, redirecting a pass from junior Alicia Battistelli into the back of the net.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• The River Hawks had eight shots on goal to Vermont's five. 

• The River Hawks had eight corners to the Catamounts' four.

• Sophomore Merle Vaandrager made six saves.

• De Castro recorded the lone goal for Vermont. 

UP NEXT
The Catamounts host Fairfield on Sunday, Oct. 12, on Moulton Winder Field. The game is set to start at 1 p.m. and can be viewed on AmericaEast.TV. 

For news and updates about the Vermont Field Hockey program, follow @UVMfieldhky on Instagram, X, and Facebook, and visit UVMathletics.co