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For Immediate Release
December 4, 2010
Louisville, Ky. – The University of Massachusetts Lowell field hockey team completed it's perfect season with a 1-0 win over Shippensburg University in the National Championship game today at Louisville's Trager Stadium. Liz Day scored the only goal of the game late in the first half, and a strong River Hawks' defensive effort made the goal stand up for the title.
UMass Lowell (24-0) was only credited with one official shot on goal, but on that attempt, Northeast-10 Conference Player of the Year, Liz Day scored her 14th goal of the season in the 23rd minute of action. Sammy Macy, who led the country in points, was credited with her 16th assist of the championship-campaign.
Shippensburg had a number of scoring opportunities, but UMass Lowell freshman and Northeast-10 Goaltender of the Year Melanie Hopkins didn't allow a shot through to the cage, registering six saves for her 15th shutout of the year.
It was the first time all season that Shippensburg was held scoreless in a game.
"Defense was the difference for us today," said Head Coach Shannon Hlebichuk, who captured her second title in nine years at the helm of the program. "I know its cliché when they say offense wins games but defense wins championships but that was certainly the case today. We have a powerful offense – scoring over 100 goals this year – so our defense has kind of been overlooked. But for them to come out in a National Championship game and play the majority of the minutes in our defensive end and to stay composed and disciplined and not panic? That was awesome to watch. They deserved that win."
The win caps off a perfect season for the River Hawks, and marks the second time they have claimed the national championship in the sport of field hockey. UMass Lowell also took home the title in 2005.
During the year, the River Hawks outscored their opposition 119-8 including, 6-1 in their two NCAA Tournament games.
The Northeast-10 is an association of 16 NCAA Division II colleges and universities located in New England and New York that are committed to supporting balanced academic and athletic opportunities for more than 6,500 student-athletes. Each year, 4,500 of those student-athletes compete in Conference championships in 23 sports, making the NE-10 the largest DII conference in the country. Leading the way in the classroom, on the field and within the community, the Northeast-10 is proud of its comprehensive program and the experience it provides student-athletes.
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