Nationally-ranked Connecticut spoiled the 2022 season opener for the UMass Lowell field hockey team Friday in Storrs, Conn.
With UConn leading 2-0, the game was stopped with seven minutes left in regulation due to lightning and the decision was later made to stop the game there. For the River Hawks (0-1), junior goalkeeper Eleonore Boekhorst (Bilthoven, Netherlands) logged nine saves.
“We played with great intent in the first quarter, but intentions don’t score goals against the 15th-ranked team,” said UML head coach Shannon LeBlanc. “I thought we made some necessary adjustments at halftime and created some great opportunities in the third and fourth quarters until Mother Nature, for the third time in five years, had other ideas for us. We know we have better hockey ahead of us and are looking forward to showing that on Sunday.”
Graduate student Hannah Keefe (Westford) led the River Hawks with two shots, including one on goal. The River Hawk defense controlled the first quarter of action. Although the Huskies managed to keep possession in their offensive half for the majority of the first 15 minutes, the back line held solid, led by Boekhorst and a great sliding save.
However, the hosts broke open the scoring in the 17th minute, as a long pass into the circle ricocheted off Boekhorst’s pads before McKenna Sergi knocked in the loose ball to put UConn ahead, 1-0.
Keefe also added a pair of chances in the third. On the other end of the turf, Boekhorst fended off three more UConn chances and two corners in the quarter. The Huskies would make it 2-0 in the 43rd minute when they used a set piece to get a pass to Jasmijn Damman near the post for the finish.
The River Hawks will host LIU in their home opener on Sunday at 1 p.m.
On the links
Not surprisingly, Morgan and Molly Smith are at the top or near the summit of a couple of Mass Golf rankings.
Morgan, 18, leads the Girls’ Junior Player of the Year standings. The recent Westford Academy graduate, the New England and Massachusetts amateur champ this summer, has 1,135 points. Molly, 17, who is about to start her senior year at WA, is second with 873 points.
The Westford sisters are also high up in the Player of the Year standings. Morgan, who recently committed to play for Georgetown University beginning next year, is second with 775 points. Molly is tied for fourth place with 668 points.
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