Minutewomen Claim Kennedy Cup In Crazy Come From Behind Effort

AMHERST, Mass. -- Massachusetts (4-2) completed a historic come-from-behind victory, nabbing a 4-3 victory over UMass Lowell (3-3) for the Kennedy Cup on Sunday at Gladchuk Field Hockey Complex. After unsuccessfully capitalizing on numerous offensive opportunities, the Minutewomen forced the game into overtime after four consecutive corners and a penalty stroke in the waning seconds of regulation. Notably, Massachusetts scored three goals in three minutes to power them the win.

Graduate student Claire Danahy shined in the game, posting two goals– including the game-winner. Danahy put Massachusetts on the board in the second quarter, tipping in the ball to make it a 2-1 game heading into halftime. In overtime Danahy continued her clutch play, finding the back of the net to lend Massachusetts the Kennedy Cup for the 10th time in program history. The goals mark Danahy's 14th and 15th of her career.

Freshman Elani Sherwood continued to lead the strike line, scoring for the fourth consecutive game. The Surbiton, England native leads the Minutewomen with 12 points through her first six games in the maroon and white.

The Minutewomen dominated in total shots and penalty corners, posting a massive 50 shots while earning 30 corners in the two hour and three-minute thriller. UMass Lowell put up a notable defensive effort of their own, with the goalkeeper tandem of Christina Calandra and Marie Oliemans combining for 17 saves.

Breaking Down The Action

Madison Leeper got the Riverhawks on the board first, capitalizing off Karlijn Kerkhof's assist to make it a 1-0 score just 3:51 into the first quarter.
The Minutewomen outshot UMass Lowell by a margin of 5-4 at the end of the first quarter, marking a closely contested matchup.
UMass Lowell added to their lead, with Karli Penrod capitalizing off a defensive takeaway to make it a 2-0 game with 7:47 remaining in the second quarter.
Danahy lended the Minutewomen their first point of the match, tipping in the ball for her second goal of the season to make it a 2-1 game heading into halftime.
Massachusetts held UMass Lowell to a 6-2 advantage in corners and 11-6 in shots at the end of the first half, a testament to the team's quality scoring opportunities.
The Riverhawks made a goalie change at the start of the second half, putting in Oliemans for Calandra.
UMass Lowell answered back in the third quarter, with Karli Penrod's fast-break goal for her second of the game; making it a 3-1 score at 35:52.
Massachusetts chances continued– putting up 21 corners and 36 shots in the second half alone.
Freshman Elani Sherwood brought Massachusetts within a goal, keeping her goal streak alive and making it 3-2 with 36 seconds remaining in regulation.
After multiple earned penalty corners with 0:00 on the scoreboard, Cloconeanu converted a penalty stroke to equalize and push the game into overtime.
The overtime period started with Massachusetts holding a 6-5 advantage on the pitch with three cards carrying over into the final period of regulation.
Danahy completed the Massachusetts come-from-behind victory for the Kennedy Cup, netting the golden goal just 3:04 into the OT period of play, securing a 4-3 win for the Minutewomen

Notable Numbers

3: Three Minutewomen scored across the game: Danahy, Sherwood, and Cloconeaunu
4: Massachusetts earned its fourth win of the 2024 season
4: With a goal on the day Sherwood has now scored in four straight games.
10: UMass captured its 10th Kennedy Cup.
11: Massachusetts out shot UMass Lowell 11-6 at the end of the first half.
12: Sherwood now leads the team with 12 points on the season.
15: Danahy scored her 14th and 15th career goals in the game
30: The Minutewomen notched 30 corners across the day.
50: Massachusetts tallied an impressive 50 shots across the game

Series History

With the win, Massachusetts now holds a 10-1 advantage all-time against the Riverhawks.

Up Next

UMass continue their three-game homestand hosting VCU on Friday, Sept. 20 at 3 p.m. to kick-off alumni weekend at The Chuk. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN+ and can be followed live on umassathletics.com or UMassFH on Twitter.

Scoreboard