Northeastern field hockey (2-0, 0-0 CAA) defeated the University of Massachusetts Lowell River Hawks (1-2, 0-0 AE) 4-3 in its first away game of the season, marking the Huskies’ best start since the 2019 season.
The River Hawks struck first six minutes into the game with senior forward Madison Leeper scoring her second goal of the season.
Northeastern retaliated and found the back of the net 12:30 into the game, courtesy of senior midfielder and forward Emmy Stubbs. Stubbs knocked the ball into the net after a pass from graduate student forward Laine Ambrose. This is Ambrose’s second season with the Huskies after spending time down the road at Boston College for three seasons.
The second quarter brought shots from both sides, but neither team could find the shot that would edge them ahead. Arabella Loveridge, senior goalkeeper for the Huskies, saved four goals, doubling her saves since the last game against Stonehill.
Freshman defender Lucy Walton scored her first collegiate goal four minutes into the third quarter, capitalizing on a penalty corner by freshman midfielder Jessica Garden.
The River Hawks were quick to respond, scoring the equalizer nine minutes later. Sophomore midfielder Karlijn Kerkhof scored her first goal of the game, knocking it from the top of the circle on a corner. Kerkhof’s two goals against Northeastern is her personal best in a game.
The Huskies started to pull away in the fourth quarter, scoring two goals before UMass Lowell could respond, going up 4-2.
Alex Mega, junior midfielder and forward, scored the first goal three minutes into the quarter. Garden passed through the defenders to Mega, who slipped it in. This was the second goal of the season for the captain.
A minute later, sophomore defender Camille Armaganian scored the fourth and final goal on a penalty stroke, knocking it to the upper right corner. This was Armaganian’s first collegiate goal.
The River Hawks were able to shorten the gap a minute later as Kerkhof claimed her second goal on a penalty stroke, cutting the Huskies’ lead to 4-3. However, UMass was unable to catch up with Northeastern.
The Huskies will face the Holy Cross Crusaders (1-2, 0-0 Patriot League) Sept. 7 at 12 p.m. on their home turf.
