Co-captain Caroline Code and the Crimson seek win No. 6 of the year against UMass Lowell (Photo: Gil Talbot).
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – The Harvard field hockey team (5-2) will look to get back in the win column Tuesday evening, welcoming UMass Lowell (4-5) to Jordan Field for a 6 p.m. matchup. The contest against the River Hawks will be the last time the Crimson is at home until October 18, as it sets off on a three-game road swing to begin the second month of the season.
Ivy League Digital Network
After an incredibly successful inaugural year that saw over 1,000 events streamed live, the Ivy League Digital Network has returned for 2014-15, providing fans with unprecedented coverage of the Ivy League.
Multiple subscription options are available to fans including school-specific and league-wide passes. To learn more about the Ivy League Digital Network or to sign-up today, click here.
Social Stream
Use the all new Social Stream on GoCrimson.com to stay connected with the Crimson on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube this year. The Social Stream brings the conversation from all four platforms into one convenient location, allowing fans of all Harvard Athletics teams to monitor the action in real time.
About Harvard
After starting the season with five victories, the Crimson will be looking to bounce back from losses in its two most recent games. Through the first five games, Harvard posted a 15-5 goal differential, but has managed just one goal its last two times out. Leading goal-scorer, sophomore Marissa Balleza netted her fifth of the year this past Saturday, as Penn defeated the Crimson, 4-1.
Balleza is not the only offensive threat for Harvard though. Eight Crimson student-athletes have scored this year, while 10 have at least one point. Hannah Wellington is second on the team with three tallies, while Kaitlyn Boudah and Noel Painter each have two. Freshman Ellie Cookson has been the set-up person for Harvard, racking up six assists thus far.
The defensive unit has been stringent all season, allowing more than one goal to an opposing team just twice this year. The backs in front of goalkeeper Issy Davies have limited scoring opportunities, as the junior stopper has faced just 31 shots on goal and holds a 1.42 GAA.
Series History: UMass Lowell
Harvard has dominated the all-time series against the River Hawks, holding a 3-0 advantage. Umass Lowell has never scored a goal on the Crimson, as Harvard won the first meeting in 1988 by a 3-0 score and then followed it up with a 10-0 trouncing the next season. Both those matches occurred while the River Hawks were still competing as a Division II program. In the first meeting as Division I opponents in 2013, Harvard stymied UMass Lowell, 4-0.
About The River Hawks
UMass Lowell is in just its second season competing as a Division I member, compiling a 4-5 record to date. The River Hawks are members of the America East conference and with visit Albany on Saturday in its first league contest of 2014.
The 2014 campaign opened with a 2-0 shutout of La Salle, followed up by a 4-3 double-overtime triumph against Longwood. The next four matches resulted in losses for the River Hawks, but they have since responded to win two of its last three games, defeating Quinnipiac on the road and UC Davis at home.
Senior Bianca Jones is the shining light in the River Hawks offense, accounting for nine of the team's 18 goals. Sophomore Georgia Cowderoy is second on the team with seven points (2G, 3A) and is one of three players with three helpers.
Common Ground
Harvard and UMass Lowell have each played Bryant and Holy Cross already this season. The Crimson opened up the season with victories over both schools, while the River Hawks dropped a pair of one-goal games to both teams. Among other schools that both teams have, or will play later this year include, Maine, Brown, Dartmouth, Vermont and Fairfield.
Ivy League Honor Roll
Weekly Ivy League Honors
Sept. 9 - Noel Painter – Honor Roll
Sept. 16 – Ellie Cookson, Issy Davies – Honor Roll
