Box Score Colorado College utilized a dominating defensive effort and a late goal from senior forward Dana Gornick to post a 1-0 victory over UMass Lowell on Friday afternoon at Stewart Field.

Gornick took a drop pass from sophomore defender Tanner Haughn, who had come forward for a corner kick, and drilled a shot into the top right corner.

"We've been working really hard on set pieces, defending and attacking them," Gornick said. "Tanner had the ball around the spot and she selflessly dropped it back to me. There wasn't a player coming yet and so I took one step and kind of one-timed it into the upper V (corner) and beat the keeper."

Tigers generated several solid scoring chances earlier in the second half, but were unable to get a ball past River Hawks goalkeeper Julia Schneider or the crossbar. But thanks to another stellar defensive effort, Gornick's goal proved to be the second game winner of her career.

Freshman Molly Hiniker made three saves while posting her third clean sheet in five starts. She lowered her season goals-against average to 1.20 and upped her saves percentage to .739.

Hiniker tipped a shot by junior midfielder Rachel Morrier over the crossbar in the opening minutes and then gloved a ball from sophomore forward Katelyn Vieira soon after.

Her next and last save came a little more than 10 minutes into the second half.

"We've got a lot of freshmen in key rolls and they've adapted very well," head coach Geoff Bennett said. "They've been a big part of our success up to this point, but they're still in a learning curve and they still need to get used to the college game and the speed of the game and the physicality of the game."

The Tiger defense surrendered a season-low six shots while recording their fourth shutout of the season.

"The defense has been great," Hiniker said. "Anna (Gregg) and Tanner are so solid at center back. They clear the ball really well, win balls in the air, and they defend 1v1 well. The best part about Sophie (Lapointe) and Aleesa (Muir) is their ability to join in the attack."  

At the other end of the pitch, CC launched 13 shots and generated six corner kicks.

Schneider stopped four shots for the River Hawks, who slipped to 2-3-2 on the season.

The Tigers improved to 4-3 overall and 2-0 at home.

"We've got a big game on Sunday to finish out the non-conference slate," Bennet said.

Colorado College plays host to Northern Arizona University on Sunday at 11 a.m.