(2010) - Perhaps the greatest defender in UMass Lowell history, Jonathan Curran was pivotal part of the most successful four-year period of the men's soccer program and backstopped it to a 56-18-6 record from 2001-04.
The period also saw the River Hawks win Northeast-10 Conference Tournament titles in 2003 and 2004 and the NCAA Tournament New England Region crown (2003) in its first-ever appearance.
Curran was the program's first two-time All-American (2003 and 2004) who, not surprisingly, led a backline that set school records for victories (15), shutouts (10), fewest goals conceded (14) and fewest loses (3) in a season.
Curran's induction also marked the first brother tandem in UMass Lowell's Athletic Hall of Fame history. His brother Brandon, a soccer standout from 1999-2002, was inducted into the Hall in 2008.
"Jonathan was the embodiment of the spirit and commitment of UMass Lowell Soccer on the soccer field, in the classroom and in the community," said former head coach Ted Priestly (1997-2008), currently in his second year head coach at Holy Cross. "He focused on daily improvement of fundamental pieces of the game. He fought every day to defy the odds, and he never hesitated when his team needed him."
At 6-foot-2, 180 pounds, Curran was a formidable presence to opposing forwards who thrived in physical play and rarely lost an aerial battle. For his career, he compiled 12 goals and 17 assists - tops among all defensive players in Priestly's tenure - the majority of which were headers off set plays.
In addition to All-American honors, Curran was also a two-time All-Northeast/New England First Team recipient, NE-10 First Team pick as well as the NE-10 Defensive Player of the Year in 2003 and 2004.
As a senior, Curran was the recipient of the Lester H. Cushing Award for Outstanding Male Student-Athlete of the 2004-05 season. He won the honor two years after his brother Brandon was cited in 2003.
"Jonathan exemplified the qualities of teamwork, sacrifice, loyalty and honesty in his daily approach to life," Priestly noted. "He was not simply an outstanding soccer player; he is a remarkable person. It was an honor and a pleasure to have coached Jonathan and Brandon, and to have had the support of the Curran and Pierce families at every game, home and away."
Curran graduated in 2005 with a degree in business management.
