Nov. 16, 2008

MANCHESTER, NH – Junior M Jhony Valencia (Lowell, MA) and freshman M Mateus Candido (Lowell, MA) each notched goals 7:28 apart in the first half as No. 4 UMass Lowell defeated No. 1 Southern New Hampshire, 2-1, in the NCAA Division II Men’s Soccer Tournament East Region Semifinal at George J. Larkin Field.

With the victory, the River Hawks (13-3-4) move on to the East Region final where they will visit No. 2 Dowling College in Brentwood, NY, next weekend at a time to be determined. Dowling was a 3-1 winner over No. 6 Franklin Pierce.

Southern New Hampshire caps its season with a 15-3-4 record.

“We are so pleased to have advanced against a team of true quality and class,” said Head Coach Ted Priestly. “Southern New Hampshire was fantastic from start to finish, and we congratulate them on a tremendous season.”

The River Hawks return to the Tournament quarterfinal for the second time. In 2003, UMass Lowell advanced with victories over Franklin Pierce (3-0) and Southern Connecticut (1-0) before falling at Dowling (2-0).

Candido gave the River Hawks a 1-0 edge in the 23rd minute when Penmen goalkeeper Sean Lambert thwarted an attempt from senior Matt Dubois (Dracut, MA), only for Candido to bundle home from close range.

Just over seven minutes later, Valencia gave the River Hawks a 2-0 cushion when he took a ball from senior M Matias Pietropinto (Leominster, MA), and curled a shot from the top right corner of the box inside the left post.

The goal was Valencia’s in his two matches in the NCAAs. He scored twice in Friday’s victory over Molloy. “It has been great to see Jhony Valencia's impact on our tournament thus far,” Priestly noted. “He doesn't often receive the notoriety that he deserves, but in this NCAA Tournament, he has been a revelation thus far.”

The Penmen nearly cut the lead in half in the 41st minute when an attempt by junior D Richard Kentish was denied by the post.

Southern New Hampshire, however, pressured throughout the second half – outshooting the River Hawks 8-0 – only for it to pay off just 42 seconds from time. Senior G Ryan Richards (Holden, MA) stopped an attempt by senior D Matt Delaney, only for junior F Paulson Edum to pounce on the rebound to cut the lead in half.

The Penmen outshot UMass Lowell 14-7 overall and 6-4 on target. Richards had five saves while Lambert stopped two shots.

“Our seniors today were exceptional,” Priestly lauded. “Tim Bengston (Andover, MA) and Joey Esteves (Fall River, MA) were inspirational at the back. Jamie Wangia (Lowell, MA) was dominant in the middle and Matty and Matias were dynamic in attack.”

NCAA Tournament East Region Semifinal
UMass Lowell 2, Southern New Hampshire 1
At Manchester, NH

Goalkeepers
Sean Lambert (SNHU): 2 saves, 90:00
Ryan Richards (UML): 5 saves, 90:00