LOWELL, Mass. — On Friday, Oct. 23, the University of Maine field hockey team lost 4-1 to the University of Massachusetts Lowell River Hawks.
This game marked the second-to-last game of the Black Bears’ regular season. Going into this game, the Black Bears were 7-7 overall and 2-1 in conference games.
The first quarter kicked off with Maine very quickly getting a penalty corner that the River Hawks defended against, leading to the River Hawks having control of play. Maine’s defense struggled to contain the River Hawks’ offense early, with Black Bears first-year goaltender Annabel Halkes having to stand tall and make some acrobatic saves.
The first goal of the game came from a penalty stroke scored by River Hawks second-year back Rena Pastilli. Following the goal, play was more equal, with a lot of back and forth across the pitch.
The second quarter started much like the first, with the River Hawks controlling play and having strong scoring chances. Fourth-year forward Karli Penrod scored the River Hawks’ second goal of the game, assisted by third-year midfielder Audrey Carter. The goal came after a takeaway in the River Hawks’ zone, and they were able to run it down the pitch to make the play. After the goal, both teams once again played evenly, with both teams getting a penalty corner. The River Hawks’ shot was saved by Halkes, while the Black Bears’ shot was blocked.
The third quarter began with UMaine in control, but the play once again became much more back and forth, moving up and down the pitch. Lowell was able to gain and maintain control later in the quarter, and while no goals were scored, the River Hawks had some strong chances.
The fourth quarter held most of the action, with first-year midfielder Mae Kemps very quickly scoring the River Hawks’ third goal of the game, assisted by Carter. The Black Bears were able to respond within three minutes with a penalty corner taken by fourth-year back Eloise Penty. This play led to a goal by second-year forward Martha Barratt.
Following the goal, Penrod received a green card. Despite this, the Black Bears did not gain any momentum and were unable to score on the two-minute advantage. The River Hawks were able to gain control for the rest of the quarter, and minutes before the game ended, River Hawks fourth-year midfielder Alice Van Hemelen scored their fourth goal.
UMaine is now 7-8 overall and 2-2 in conference games. The Black Bears will look to improve their offense after having four shots, with only one of them being on goal. They’ll also look to improve defensively, work on containing teams and rely less on Halkes to make next-level saves. Halkes was one of the strongest parts of this game for the Black Bears, having saved 10 of the 14 shots she faced. The other key player of the game was Barratt, who was the only goal scorer and the only player to register any shots, as well as the sole shot on goal.
The Black Bears return home to play the University of Vermont on Thursday, Oct. 29, for their final game of the regular season.
