UMass Field Hockey Charges By Columbia, 3-2

AMHERST, Massachusetts - The University of Massachusetts field hockey program posted three first half goals and used a team-wide defensive effort to limit Columbia during a 3-2 victory at the Gladchuk Field Hockey Complex on Friday afternoon. Sarah Hawkshaw, Melanie Kreusch and Nicole Kuerzi accounted for the UMass tallies. It marked the first goals of the season for each Minutewoman.

With the win, the Maroon and White improved to 1-2 on the season while Columbia fell to 0-1. Emily Hazard recorded the win in goal for Massachusetts with a pair of saves - her first collegiate victory. Kendall Kuntz turned aside seven shots for the Lions in the loss.

Hawkshaw provided the decisive score on a penalty corner in the 29th minute. Hannah Farrell fielded a short corner insert at the left of the cage and fired a pass across the center of the goal. Hawkshaw ran onto the play and deflected the ball into the top netting for the tally.

Kreusch put the Minutewomen ahead, 2-1, 10 minutes earlier on a penalty stroke. Kuntz was whistled for a foul inside the goal circle and Kreusch responded with the fourth penalty stroke conversion of her UMass career.

Kuerzi broke the scoreless tie with a rebound attempt 11 minutes, 48 seconds into play. After Izzie Delario sent a shot off the right post, Kuerzi ran onto the loose ball and fired a low shot under Kuntz's padding before the goalie could brush aside Delario's attempt.

Lauren Crane evened the game at 1-1 less than two minutes after Kuerzi's tally. Crane finished a close-range shot from a yard off the left post for the goal.

Louisa Hollander earned the Lions' second tally, scored on a penalty corner drawn in the final minute of the game. Hollander bested Hazard with a hard shot into the left side after the final whistle.

Massachusetts led in shots, 19-10 while Columbia held the advantage in penalty corners, 6-5. On-target attempts favored the Minutewomen, 10-4.

The Maroon and White return to action with the 2016 Kennedy Cup at UMass Lowell on Sun., Sept. 4 at 1 p.m. The game - the fourth in the series - is named after University of Massachusetts and UMass-Lowell alumnus, John F. Kennedy, who is a strong supporter and graduate of both institutions.

Following Massachusetts field hockey on Twitter (@UMassFH) or Instagram (umassfieldhockey) for the latest news regarding the team.

Scoreboard

Next Event

Team Stats

Sarah Hawkshaw

Melanie Kreusch

Nicole Kuerzi

Hannah Farrell

Players Mentioned

Izzie Delario

Hannah Farrell

Sarah Hawkshaw

Emily Hazard

Melanie Kreusch

Nicole Kuerzi

Players Mentioned

Izzie Delario

Hannah Farrell

Sarah Hawkshaw

Emily Hazard

Melanie Kreusch

Nicole Kuerzi

Scoreboard

University of Massachusets Athletics