ALBANY – The College of Saint Rose scored a goal in each half and held visiting UMass Lowell at bay to chalk up a 2-0 victory this afternoon in a match that featured the Northeast-10 Conference's top two squads. The Golden Knights (9-3-1/7-2-1 NE-10) have now won four straight, while the River Hawks (6-4-3/5-3-3 NE-10) had a two-game win streak snapped on the heels of Tuesday's 1-0, double overtime upset victory at #15 Franklin Pierce.

Saint Rose initially broke through midway through the first stanza. Freshman midfielder Brittany Godin  touched home a loose ball in a scramble at the UMass Lowell doorstep to make it 1-0 Golden Knights in the 28th minute. Freshman forward Gianna D'Errico then gave Saint Rose some breathing room in the 70th minute on a play that was initiated by her sister and fellow rookie striker Nicola D'Errico.

Nicola D'Errico played a ball on the left flank to freshman midfielder Christina Cuffari. Cuffari settled it and drove a cross through the box to Gianna D'Errico who flicked it low inside the right post.

Saint Rose junior keeper Shannon Murphy recorded five saves, including four in the second half, en route to her third shutout of the year. UMass Lowell junior Jamie Gillis chalked up seven saves and effectively came off her line on several occasions to somewhat negate the Golden Knights outstanding speed up front.

Both clubs were able to probe the opposing third in the early going. In the 11th minute, UMass Lowell sophomore forward Brianne Bozzella generated a low shot that went just wide of the far post. Two minutes later, Saint Rose senior forward Kailey Egbert had possession on the right flank where she turned her defender and volleyed a strike that sailed just above the opposite top corner.

In the second half, Egbert set up sophomore forward Jazmine Farrell inside of the penalty area. Farrell got off a shot that forced Gillis to make a nifty diving save to her left. Gillis was tested again in the 67th minute when sophomore midfielder Amanda Deck drove a shot that skidded off the grass and was earmarked for the far side.

Neither team had much of a clean look during the final 20 minutes as the Golden Knights drew up what undoubtedly will go down as a key win with the NE-10 Tournament a mere three weeks away.

In the meantime, Saint Rose begins a challenging three-game road trip Monday when the Golden Knights visit #6 West Chester (PA) in a 2:00 pm non-conference date. UMass Lowell is scheduled to play its regular-season home finale Wednesday with a 7:00 pm meeting versus league rival Assumption.

Box Score