University of Massachusets Athletics
University of Massachusetts
Columbia
Columbia, UMass Lowell Slated for Weekend Field Hockey Action
August 31, 2016 | Field Hockey
Minutewomen host Lions for Friday matinee, travel to River Hawks on Sunday
NOTICE: For the Sept. 2 home-opener against Columbia at 1 p.m., all fans attending are asked to park in Lot 22 as Lot 11 will not be available due to move-in weekend. Please approach campus from Massachusetts 116 and make an immediate right into the UMass Soccer/Softball/Track and Field parking area. Follow parking signage to the Lot 33/22 access road to park in Lot 22. Locate the parking area through the campus map available here.
| University of Massachusetts Field Hockey Game Notes | |
| Game Three | Massachusetts (0-2) vs. Columbia (0-0) |
| Date | Time | Friday, Sept. 2 | 1:00 p.m. |
| Location | Gladchuk Sports Complex; Amherst, Mass. | Parking (Lot 22) |
| Series History | Columbia leads, 1-0. Last meeting: Columbia 3, UMass 2; Oct. 12, 2014 |
| Watch Live | A-10 Digital Network |
| Team Information | Massachusetts | Columbia |
| @UMassFH | @UMassAthletics | |
| UMass Field Hockey | |
The Massachusetts-Columbia Scouting Report
University of Massachusetts field hockey hosts its 2016 home-opener at the Gladchuk Sports Complex against Columbia at 1 p.m. on Fri., Sept. 2. It marks only the second meeting between the programs, including a 3-2 victory for the Lions during the 2014 season.
Columbia finished last season at 9-8 overall and 3-4 in Ivy League play. The team will have to replace 2015 leading scorer Christina Freibott, who posted 35 points (11 goals, 13 assists) in her final year with the program. Freibott's loss is softened by the return of the next three points producers from one year ago in Katie Ruesterholz (22), Maeve Doherty (21) and Meredith Kalberer (16).
The Lions are also without their 2015 starting goalkeeper, Kimberly Pianucci, who produced a 2.82 goals-against average and .618 save percentage over 17 starts encompassing 1,165 of a possible 1,217 minutes. Kendall Kuntz, a senior, is the most experienced returnee between the pipes. She owns 260 career minutes spread over 14 games with 14 saves versus 12 goals given up.
| University of Massachusetts Field Hockey Game Notes | |
| Game Four | Massachusetts at UMass Lowell |
| Date | Time | Sunday, Sept. 4 | 1:00 p.m. |
| Location | Cushing Sports Complex; Lowell, Mass. |
| Series History | Massachusetts leads UMass Lowell, 3-0. Last meeting: Massachusetts 3, UMass Lowell 0; Sept. 11, 2015 |
| Live Statistics | Sidearm Sports (provided by UMass Lowell) |
| Team Information | Massachusetts | UMass Lowell |
| @UMassFH | @UMassAthletics | |
| UMass Field Hockey | |
The Massachusetts-UMass Lowell Scouting Report
The University of Massachusetts and UMass Lowell continue their newly started Kennedy Cup tradition in the second game of the weekend's slate for both sides. The River Hawks face Miami (Ohio) at home on Friday afternoon before they host the Minutewomen.
UMass Lowell opened its season with a 3-2 victory at Quinnipiac University on Sun., Aug. 28. Kristin Aveni put the River Hawks up for good in the 50th minute on a feed from Katie Luchino. Kelsey Federico preserved the outcome with eight saves during play.
Federico was a main-stay in the cage during 2015, UMass Lowell's third season as a Division I program. She provided 143 stops while she gave up 63 tallies for a .694 save percentage and 3.25 goals-against average. The River Hawks also return their 2015 leading scorers in Torrie Huk (19 points) and Christa Doiron (18).
Keeping The Kennedy Cup
The University of Massachusetts and UMass Lowell started a new tradition during 2013 in tandem with UMass Lowell's elevation to Division I: the Kennedy Cup. Through three meetings, the Minutewomen have not relinquished the game trophy.
The Maroon and White blanked UMass Lowell during the inaugural game, 6-0 on Sept. 3, 2013. One year later, Massachusetts traveled to the River Hawks for a 3-1 victory on Sept. 14, 2014. Last season, offensive fireworks were displayed through the 4-3 UMass win on Sept. 11.
The Kennedy Cup is named in honor of University of Massachusetts and UMass-Lowell alumnus, John F. Kennedy, who is a strong supporter and graduate of both institutions.
Robertson Returns To Her Alma Mater
1988 University of Massachusetts graduate Amy Robertson returned to her alma mater to serve as the UMass field hockey interim head coach for the 2016 season. Robertson previously held an assistant coach position with the Minutewomen from 1992-96 and was a standout defender from 1984-87.
Robertson led the Indiana University field hockey program for 15 seasons from 2000-14, accumulating 134 victories and a pair of NCAA Tournament appearances during her tenure. She oversaw the team's elevation from club level to NCAA Division I varsity status in 2000 and led the program to the Elite Eight during its first NCAA Tournament appearance in 2005.
She also served as an assist at Iowa (1989-91) and Wake Forest (1997-99) prior to her 15-year tenure at Indiana. Over the previous three decades, Robertson accumulated 15 NCAA Tournament appearances and more than 350 victories as a student-athlete, assistant coach and head coach.
The Quicker Goal Picker-Upper
Senior forward Nicole Miller provided the Minutewomen their first goal of the season in three of her four campaigns with the program, including her freshman, sophomore and senior years.
Miller scored unassisted less than 15 minutes into her first collegiate game, a 2-1 win over Maine on Aug. 20, 2013. As a sophomore, she totaled both goals in a hard-fought 3-2 loss to No. 1 Maryland. Two years later, Miller returned to her first-game form with a tally at New Hampshire in the 2016 opener.
Minutewomen Start Season Receiving Votes For NFHCA Top-20
University of Massachusetts field hockey begins the 2016 season receiving votes for the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) Top-20 Coaches Poll. The Minutewomen took in 69 points for 23rd in the nation. They are the highest-ranked Atlantic 10 squad entering 2016, with Richmond next in 36th with four points.
UMass Picked Second In Atlantic 10 Preseason Poll
University of Massachusetts field hockey earned second place in the 2016 Atlantic 10 Preseason Coaches Poll, only three points behind the leader, Richmond. The Spiders picked up 76 points and four of the first place votes. UMass finished polling with 73 points and four first place votes.
Saint Joseph's took the final first place vote and 64 total points for third. Davidson and Lock Haven tied for fourth with 45 points. Saint Francis (40), VCU (31), La Salle (21) and Saint Louis (10) rounded out the poll.
Three Minutewomen Tabbed A-10 Preseason All-Conference
Senior Izzie Delario and juniors Sarah Hawkshaw and Melanie Kreusch collected Atlantic 10 Preseason All-Conference Team. It marks the second consecutive season this trio of Minutewomen appeared on the preseason all-conference team.
Delario led the squad in points (26) and assists (12) as a junior during 2015, when she was named a NFHCA Third Team All-American.
Kreusch paced the Minutewomen in goals (11) and only finished one behind Delario in the points column. The 2015 Atlantic 10 Championship Most Outstanding Player begins her junior season with 49 career points on 21 goals and seven assists.
Hawkshaw, the team's starting center midfielder, poured in nine goals and assisted on two more as a sophomore for a personal-best 20 points on the year. She returns as an NFHCA All-Region and Atlantic 10 All-Conference selection one season ago.
Fresh Face In The Cage
University of Massachusetts field hockey features a new starter in the cage for the first time since the 2012 season in redshirt junior Emily Hazard.
Hazard, a Highlands Ranch, Colo., native saw limited time behind previous starter Sam Carlino over the last two seasons. She enters the year with 24 minutes, 15 seconds in the cage and a career 2.89 goals-against average.
