Field Hockey Loses in NCAA Finals

Jaime Hadley and Ashley Smith work to clear the ball in the NCAA Division II National Championship game.

For the second year in a row, the field hockey team lost to the Bloomsburg University Huskies in the finals of the 2008 NCAA Division II Field Hockey Championships. The River Hawks, who made their fourth appearance in the NCAA championship in six years, finish the year 20-5.

Bloomsburg struck for two quick goals in the first two minutes of the match and built a 3-0 lead by the 5:33 mark of the opening half. The River Hawks battled back with goals from senior captain and midfielder Missy Seeley and junior forward Jaci Moulton by the end of the first half.

The Huskies scored three more goals in the second half while shutting down the River Hawks. UMass Lowell sophomore Amy Carbon stopped seven of 12 shots she faced. Senior Danielle Dodier relieved Carbon and played the final 14 minutes, making one save and allowing one goal.

Bloomsburg out-shot UMass Lowell 19-5 in the 6-2 loss.

Head coach Shannon Hlebichuk was named the 2008 National Field Hockey Coaches Association’s North Region Coach of the Year. She was also named the Northeast-10 Coach of the Year for the sixth-straight season.

- Kristen_OReilly