Massachusetts Tops UMass Lowell, 2-1, To Retain Kennedy Cup

AMHERST, Mass. – A goal from Jess Beech late in the third quarter and three big saves from Brooke Richards proved to be the difference as the Massachusetts field hockey team (4-1), defended its home field with a 2-1 victory over UMass Lowell (2-1) to retain the Kennedy Cup on a windy Sunday afternoon at Gladchuk Field Hockey Complex.

Beech's goal, scored with less than three minutes to play in the third, came after Beech inserted the ball during a penalty corner up to a waiting Claire Danehy atop the circle. Danehy then dished it to Emily Crawford, who fired a low shot towards the cage where Beech got a stick to redirect it past River Hawk goalkeeper Eleonore Boekhorst (two saves) for her team-leading third goal of the season and eventual game-winner.

After both teams got off to a slow start in the opening quarter, Massachusetts struck first midway through the second when Mus Defauwes beat Boekhorst with a shot from the middle of the circle for her first of the season to give the hosts the 1-0 advantage.

UMass Lowell, however, battled back to level the score at one during a corner opportunity when Grace Davis got a piece of a Kate Miller shot from the left side to sneak past Richards to send the teams into halftime deadlocked at one.

Richards was immense for the Minutewomen early in the third quarter, making back-to-back stops on Miller to keep the game knotted at one, setting the table for a UMass corner late where Beech put Massachusetts up for good.

UMass will be back in action on Saturday when the Minutewomen open Atlantic 10 play against Saint Joseph's. Game time is set for 1 p.m. on Gladchuk.

Scoreboard

Next Event

Team Stats

Mus Defauwes

Jess Beech

Claire Danahy

Emily Crawford

Players Mentioned

Jess Beech

Emily Crawford

Mus Defauwes

Brooke Richards

Players Mentioned

Jess Beech

Emily Crawford

Mus Defauwes

Brooke Richards

Scoreboard

University of Massachusets Athletics