Aug. 20, 2011

Photo Gallery: Women's Soccer

The UMass Lowell women’s and men’s soccer teams, less than two weeks away from their season opening matches, opened preseason workouts Friday at the Cushing Field Complex.

The UMass Lowell women enter the season after posting an 8-8-2 overall record, including an 8-7-0 (tied for sixth place) showing in the Northeast-10 Conference. The River Hawks return 16 veterans, including eight starters, for the 2011 season.

Headlining the list of returning players for the women is senior defender Hannah Merullo (Wakefield, Mass.), a Northeast-10 Conference Second Team selection a year ago, along with junior Keanna Santos (Lakeville, Mass.), who scored six goals and set up four others.

Also back are midfielders Amy Cramer (Marlborough, Mass.), a junior, and sophomore Sarah Raye (Salem, N.H.), as well as junior defender Taylor Hartmann (Agawam, Mass.).

The River Hawks open the 2011 season Friday, Sept. 2 against C.W. Post (4:00) in the University of Bridgeport Tournament. The River Hawks take on the host Purple Knights Sunday, Sept. 4 at 7:00.

The UMass Lowell men open the year looking to reclaim their form after a 3-11-2 showing (2-9-2 in the NE-10) in 2010. The River Hawks, who went 2-1-1 under head coach Christian Figueroa in their last four matches, welcome back eight starters and 14 veterans, including seniors Asley Barrios (Revere, Mass.), a defender, and midfielder Matheus Candido (Lowell, Mass.).

Also returning is sophomore defender Neil Lavanchy (Scituate, Mass.), named to the 2010 NE-10 All-Rookie Team, as well as sophomore midfielder Alex Sindoni (Haverhill, Mass.), who returns after playing 18 matches the 2008 season.

The River Hawks play their first four matches away from home beginning Thursday, Sept. 1 at Dowling (4:00). UMass Lowell opens at home Sept. 17 against Assumption (3:00).