The River Hawks opened their season with a 3-1 win over UC Davis, pulling off a comeback that hinged on a burst of offensive pressure in the second half.
Four Goal Scorers Share the Load
Alice Van Hemelen, Audrey Carter, Rena Pistilli and Mae Kemps each found the back of the net, illustrating the team’s depth and unselfish attack.
Coach Shannon LeBlanc praised the squad’s competitive spirit, noting that the preseason work in the heat paid off as the players adjusted to the intensity of the match.
UMass Lowell dominated possession, out‑shooting the Aggies 12‑4 and earning a 4‑0 corner advantage, a statistical edge that reflected the team’s control of the tempo.
Key Defensive Stops
Sophomore goalkeepers Veerle Mous and Megan MacMiller each made a single save, preserving the lead after the Aggies had taken an early 1-0 advantage.
The match began with a midfield stalemate before the River Hawks answered a UC Davis opener with three consecutive shots from Van Hemelen, shifting the momentum decisively.
A corner in the 34th minute set up Audrey Carter’s first goal, and another corner in the 43rd minute extended the lead to 2-0 before Rena Pistilli added a third in the 52nd minute.
When the Aggies trimmed the margin to 2-1, Alice Van Hemelen struck in the closing minutes to seal a 3-1 final score, a result that positions the River Hawks for a Friday showdown with Harvard at 4 p.m. in Cambridge, Massachusetts.