Following a  4-2 win over No. 24 Maine on Sunday afternoon, the Massachusetts field hockey team could not capitalize on its momentum as it fell to No. 3 Connecticut, 2-0, to wrap up a six-game homestand on Wednesday evening at Garber Field.

The game was defined by strong goalkeeping from both sides as both Sam Carlino of UMass and Sarah Mansfield of UConn had eight saves in the contest.

However, it was Mansfield who got the better end of the deal as the shutout on Wednesday keeps her and her team’s undefeated mark intact.

“Their goalkeeper played outstanding today,” UMass coach Tagliente said. “We outshot them (15 to 12)  but that’s how the cookie crumbles sometimes.”

Tagliente also said that Carlino “made some awesome saves to keep us in it there at the end, she stepped up and played really big.”

UConn’s first score came at the end of the first half when senior Alicia Angelini capitalized on a penalty stroke. The penalty opportunity came with four minutes, 39 seconds left in the half.

The game remained quiet throughout the second half until UConn added an insurance goal by Marie Elena Bolles on a tip-in from the right post with nine minutes left to play in regulation.

Tagliente said the defeat was a setback, but also a chance for the team to learn and improve. She said the team should hold their heads high after a hard-fought game.

“We’re confident going forward,” Tagliente said. “I think we played them pretty evenly, it’s just a game of inches sometimes and we came up on the short end.”

Senior co-captain Callie Sweigart agreed the team should not be deflated or lose focus after the loss.

“We had plenty of opportunities and (Mansfield) had the game of her life I think,” Sweigart said. “We just need to keep working on putting shots on goal and getting tips in the circle. (Carlino) had a great game. We wanted her to be aware of the high balls coming into the circle and that’s exactly what she did. She played awesome.”

The Minutewomen start Atlantic 10  play on Saturday when they take on Richmond on the road.

Sweigart promised the team is ready to move on from their loss and focus on their trip to Virginia before returning to Amherst for a three-game homestand.

“We’re going to take our fire that’s deep in ourselves and put it towards Richmond,” Sweigart said.

Peter Cappiello can be reached at [email protected] and followed on Twitter @MDC_Cappiello.