Lock Haven Rematch Awaits Minutewomen Saturday

University of Massachusetts Field Hockey Game Notes & Information
Game Eight	Massachusetts (5-2 overall, 1-1 Atlantic 10) at Lock Haven (2-0, 2-0 Atlantic 10)
Date // Time	Saturday, April 3 // 4 p.m.
Location	Lock Haven, Pa. // Charlotte E. Smith Field
Series History	UMass leads, 11-2-0 Last Meeting: Lock Haven 2, UMass 1 (2OT) March 25, 2021 • Charlotte E. Smith Field • Lock Haven, Pa.
Live Statistics	Sidearm Sports
Watch	YouTube Live
Social Media	Twitter \| Instagram \| Facebook
Attendance	Lock Haven does not allow spectators currently

Setting the Scene
Massachusetts is set for a single Atlantic 10 Conference match this weekend as the Minutewomen return to Lock Haven for a second meeting in nine days with the Bald Eagles. It'll be a 4 p.m. starting whistle at Charlotte E. Smith Field.

Recap in a Minute
The Maroon and White split a pair last weekend in Pennsylvania, dropping a 2-1 double-overtime heartbreaker to Lock Haven (March 25) before taking a 3-2 victory in OT at La Salle (March 27). UMass was first on the board in the LHU game with freshman Josephine Ang converting an early penalty corner, but the squad was unable to solve goalkeeper Joaquina Orlandini the rest of the way, despite controlling most of the game and drawing 17 penalty corners.

With that contest in the rear view mirror, Massachusetts rebounded with the La Salle triumph just 50 seconds into the extra period. Led by a five-point day from senior co-captain Georgie McTear, the Minutewomen once again struck first and eliminated a second-half deficit en route to the victory. All three goals, including freshman Claire Danahy's first collegiate tally, came by way of corners.

Statistically Speaking
Massachusetts accumulated a 4-1 record through its first five games this season, marking the best to a season since 2013, when the Minutewomen were 5-0. The team only yielded seven goals to opponents through five games this season. The seven goals allowed are the fewest since 2013 (five).

Senior Georgie McTear leads the team with 10 points on a team-high four goals and two assists, with sophomore Jess Beech (3-1--7) and freshman Josephine Ang (3-0--6) close behind. It's been a fairly balanced effort in the attacking circle with seven different Minutewomen finding the back of the cage at least once and 10 players recording a point through seven games.

Freshman Brooke Richards has carried the load in goal this Spring, logging a 1.52 goals-against average to date and aided on the backline by sophomore Josie Rossbach. Richards made a season-high five saves in wins against Northeastern (March 5) and Maine (March 12), and also turned aside a penalty stroke in her collegiate debut at New Hampshire on Feb. 26.

Massachusetts: Wicked Smaht (how do you like them apples?)
The Minutewomen were included in a trio of academic award announcements throughout March from the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA). For their efforts in the classroom, UMass placed 21 honorees on the NFHCA National Academic Squad, including seven Scholars of Distinction. The program also received the National Academic Team Award after tallying a 3.79 overall grade-point average during Fall 2020. It narrowly missed a three-way tie for the fifth highest team figure in the country.

During an unprecedented Fall '20 semester, the Minutewomen still managed remarkable individual performances hitting the books. Along with the upper-tier team GPA, every student-athlete on the team finished the term with a cumulative mark above 3.5 and five had perfect 4.0 averages.

Weekly Awards Honor
Sophomore Jess Beech was named Atlantic 10 Player of the Week on Tues., March 16. Beech tabbed the honor for her pair of goals across the 2-1 victories over Maine and UMass Lowell. The Marlow, England, native took only two shots during the weekend, converting her first collegiate penalty stroke attempt in the matchup against Maine on Fri., March 12, to equalize the score at one apiece in the 36th minute. Beech also tallied the game-winning goal in the 43rd minute against UMass Lowell on Sun., March 14.

Team Leadership Announced
UMass field hockey elected a four-woman leadership group ahead of the 2021 spring season. The quartet includes team co-captains Sophie Johnson and Georgie McTear, as well as Jess Beech and Emilie Keij. The team elected the captains and leadership group through a player-wide vote.

A Dependable Center "Bach"
Now-sophomore Josie Rossbach started at center back for the Minutewomen during the 2019 season and played a team-high 1,181 minutes of a possible 1,226 during the 20-game season (96.3 percent). Her total time played breaks down to 59 minutes, five seconds per appearance. She was the first Minutewoman to start at center back as a true freshman since Lauren Allymohamed did so in 2011.

Scoreboard

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Players Mentioned

Josephine Ang

Jess Beech

Claire Danahy

Sophie Johnson

Emilie Keij

Georgie McTear

Brooke Richards

Josie Rossbach

Scoreboard

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