Women’s Soccer Wins 4-3 Thriller at UMass Lowell - University of New Hampshire Athletics

Thursday, October 22

Lowell, Mass.

6 PM

University of New Hampshire

4-8-2, 1-5-0

UMass Lowell

4-6-4, 1-2-3

Team	1	2	Final F
New Hampshire	0	4	4
UMass Lowell	1	2	3

Nina Ciri scored her first collegiate goal

Photo by: Callie Cyr

10/22/2026 10:20:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

Donati scores two goals for the Wildcats

LOWELL, Mass. – Junior forward Madison Donati (Pacifica, Calif.) scored two goals and sophomore defender Nina Ciri (Hopkinton, Mass.) netted the game winner on her first collegiate goal as the University of New Hampshire women's soccer team defeated UMass Lowell, 4-3, on Thursday night in America East action at Cushing Field Complex.

Junior forward Ava VanBuskirk (Marlborough, Mass.) also found the back of the net for the Wildcats. Donati and VanBuskirk are now tied for the team-lead with four goals.

The Wildcats improve to 4-8-2 (1-5-0 AE), while the River Hawks fall to 4-6-4 (1-2-3 AE).

UP NEXT:

UNH will take on Vermont on Sunday, Oct. 25 at 2 p.m. on ESPN+ at Wildcat Stadium.

Score: New Hampshire 4, UMass Lowell 3
Records: UNH (4-8-2, 1-5-0 America East); UML (4-6-4, 1-2-3 America East)
Location: Lowell, Mass. (Cushing Field Complex)
Date: Thursday, October 22, 2026
Attendance: 303

BOXSCORE

HOW IT HAPPENED:

The Wildcats took the first shot on goal of the game in the 12th minute when Donati sent a one-timer from five yards out, but UML goalkeeper Rachel Welch was there for the save.
The River Hawks went up 1-0 in the 17th minute (16:11) as Nina Hertz-Saebbo scored from 12 yards out.
Donati then scored the equalizer in the 51st minute (50:42) off a pass from senior forward Greta Caulton (Amherst, N.H.).

Madison Donati with the equalizer! Watch ESPN+ ➡️ https://t.co/jyeCyZU8yr #BeTheRoar https://t.co/DEyES0AaxB
— UNH Women's Soccer (@UNHWSOC) October 22, 2026

The Wildcats took the lead in the 66th minute (65:29) when VanBuskirk knocked in a rebound.

Ava VanBuskirk gives the 'Cats the lead! Watch ESPN+ ➡️ https://t.co/jyeCyZUGnZ #BeTheRoar https://t.co/26975Ezaq7
— UNH Women's Soccer (@UNHWSOC) October 22, 2026

Donati increased the advantage to 3-1 with her second goal of the night when she found the back of the net from a difficult angle. Senior forward Natalie Zibinskas (Kensington, N.H.) and Caulton each posted an assist.

Madison Donati scores her second of the night! Watch ESPN+ ➡️ https://t.co/jyeCyZUGnZ #BeTheRoar https://t.co/bv0ZafLgjB
— UNH Women's Soccer (@UNHWSOC) October 23, 2026

After Nora Belin (81:42) and Elsa Freeman (84:03) each scored for UML to tie the match at 3-3, Ciri netted the game winner on a header off a pass by Zibinskas for the 4-3 final.

Nina Ciri scores her first collegiate goal! Watch ESPN+ ➡️ https://t.co/jyeCyZUGnZ #BeTheRoar https://t.co/l9m5XOdFTV
— UNH Women's Soccer (@UNHWSOC) October 23, 2026

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

UML held an 18-15 advantage in total shots.
The Wildcats posted nine shots on goal, while the River Hawks tallied six.
UML took eight corner kicks and UNH attempted four.
Senior goalkeeper Sonja Zeepvat (Mendham, N.J.) recorded three saves, while Welch tallied five.

GO CATS TRAVEL:

Making the trip to cheer on the Wildcats? Book your hotel at GoCatsTravel.com — you'll get the same rate as Expedia or Booking.com, and 50% of proceeds goes straight back to UNH Athletics.