LOWELL, Mass. – Senior Hilary Jaén (Las Margaritas, Panama) recorded her first goal of the season, as the UMass Lowell women’s soccer team (1-3-2) tied Boston University (3-2-1) in a 2-2 contest on Sunday night.
“We leave the game a little bit upset because we didn’t get the full three points and didn’t get the win,” said Head Coach Mira Novak. “I felt that especially towards the end, we were up there, and would love to create a few more clear cut chances. I’m happy with the team and how they pushed to find a way back.”
UMass Lowell took a slight edge in shots, firing off 16 compared to Boston University’s 15. The Terriers totaled seven corners to the River Hawks’ four. Sophomore Rachel Welch (Franklin, Mass.) got the start in net, tallying three saves on the day.
Junior Luka Marceau (Newton, Mass.) posted her first goal of the season, helping tie the game for UMass Lowell. Freshman Emma Theorén (Sollentuna, Vällingby) tallied one assist, while senior Megan Banzi (Plymouth, Mass.) and sophomore Nina Hertz-Saebbö (Gothenburg, Sweden) each added their first assist of the season, as well.
“It was a good start, we scored the first goal then it went the other way in the second half,” said Novak. “We conceded a set piece putting us down 2-1. At that point you’re looking at the team, you’re looking at the response and I think it was good. We spent the last half an hour in their half and created opportunities. So, the biggest takeaway for me is we used 21 players. Everybody coming off the bench was able to raise the level and contribute in their own way, and at this stage of the season I think that’s important. It does create headaches for me because I can put 11 players on the field, but I’m pretty happy with the players, how they’re playing themselves and how they’re contributing to our team’s success.”
A shot from Jaén was fired in the opening minutes of the game, flying high right of the goal. Shortly after in the 18th minute, senior Maddie Guthrie (Stow, Mass.) soared in the ball off a corner before it popped to Banzi, who sent it to back to Jaén for the first goal of the game, putting the River Hawks on leading, 1-0.
The River Hawks stayed aggressive and were looking to push their lead in the 27th minute, as senior Maija Hodson (Sault Saint Marie, Ontario) gathered the ball off a pass on the right side before striking a shot that flew just left of the net.
The Terriers were not going away easy, with Boston University putting an attempt on net in the 34th minute from Olivia Avellar to even the score at 1-1 heading into the break.
A pair of shots from the River Hawks began the second half, as Hertz-Saebbö and junior Marissa Sage (Milford, N.H.) saw chances on goal, but were stopped by the BU defense. The Terriers then responded in the 52nd minute when Mackenzie Stickleman headed in a goal to the back left of the net, helping Boston University take its first lead of the game, 2-1.
After the River Hawks received a corner, Jaén found the right spot, connecting on a header in the 57th minute that bounced off the right post for a near goal. Minutes later, Theorén collected the ball at the leading of the box and passed to Hertz-Saebbö, who dished it to an open Marceau to rip an equalizer to the center of the goal, tying the game back up at 2-2 in the 61st minute.
Boston University, looking to regain the lead, launched a shot from the left of the box, but Welch reached up with her left hand, making a huge cut in the 66th minute.
With ten minutes remaining in the game, the River Hawks were searching for a go-ahead goal, as freshman Nora Belin (Stockholm, Sweden) handled the ball on the right side of the goal in the 81st minute, striking an attempt, but it went just right of the post.
Although the contest was back-and-forth throughout, senior Nadja Andersen (Nakskov, Denmark) offered one last chance on goal in the 84th minute, but it was picked up by the keeper. With time fading, the game clock anthem zero, as the River Hawks drew with Boston University, 2-2.
The River Hawks are back on Thursday, September 11, when they go head-to-head against Stonehill, wrapping up their five-game homestand at Cushing Field. The opening kickoff is set to begin at 6 p.m in Lowell, Mass. Admission is free all season thanks to Eastern Salt and Mahoney Oil.
About the Author
