LOWELL, Mass. – Sophomores Melissa Effertz (Oceanside, Calif.), Rachel McCarthy (Reading) and Ali Ferraro (Kingston, N.Y.) each scored one goal and set up another as defending NCAA Division II national champion UMass-Lowell topped Bentley University, 4-1, in non-conference college field hockey action Saturday afternoon.

The win was the third straight for the number one-ranked River Hawks, who improved to 3-1 on the year. Bentley, which had been ranked tenth in Division II preseason, slipped to 1-4 with its third loss to a nationally-ranked squad.

Bentley held the lead for much of the first half following the first goal of the year by junior Nicole Dion (Lunenburg/Lunenburg HS) 9:57 into the contest. Senior All-Conference midfielder Stephanie Sideris (Watertown/Watertown HS) hit a penalty corner out to junior Kelsey Mattson (Bristol, N.H./Newfound Regional HS). She got the ball to Dion for the finish.

UMass-Lowell grabbed the equalizer 2:28 before intermission when senior Kayla Littig (Carver) scored off a corner.

The River Hawks claimed control by scoring three times in the first 15:39 of the second half, a flurry that began with Effertz netting what proved to be the game-winner 2:11 after play resumed. Her sixth of the year was assisted by Ferraro.

UMass-Lowell finished with a commanding 24-4 advantage in shots, including 16-1 in the second half, and the River Hawks also attempted ten more penalty corners (18-8).

Sophomore Melanie Hopkins (Harwich) recorded the win in goal and was credited with one save. Junior Julia Powell (Southbury, Conn./Pomperaug HS) posted seven saves for Bentley.

Bentley has a week off before playing at Stonehill College next Saturday at noon.