Tuesday, September 23 vs. Fairfield University [7 p.m.] Cushing Field Complex: Lowell, Mass.
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Saturday, September 27 vs. Sacred Heart University [4 p.m.] Cushing Field Complex: Lowell, Mass.
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LOWELL, Mass. – The UMass Lowell men's soccer team will play its first back-to-back home games of the season this week with contests against Fairfield and Sacred Heart.

The River Hawks are on a four-game slide after playing four games in nine days. In the home opener, Central Connecticut scored a late goal to secure a 1-0 win. Three days later UMass Lowell suffered a hard-fought, 4-0 defeat at the hands of Dartmouth.

"Fairfield and Sacred Heart will provide us with good competition this week," said Head Coach Christian Figueroa. "Fairfield in an organized team that can take advantage if you are not mentally sharp, so we will to make sure we are prepared."

Even though the Pioneers have one game before Saturday, Figueroa is still wary of the hungry team.

"Sacred Heart has been off to a slow start, but that should not be taken lightly. We can't assume that they will not come out fighting."

River Hawk Leaders:
Wuilito Fernandes leads the River Hawks with three goals for six points. Guilherme Rodrigues has dished out two assists. Austin Kroll has 42 saves and one shutout. 

The Opponents
Fairfield University (2-2-1)
The Stags come into the matchup after losing in overtime to UMass, with the Minutemen scoring the tying and winning goals in the 87th and 95th minutes, respectively. Fairfield has only scored three goals from three different scorers: Jake Zuniga, Ben Wignail and Ben Whitcomb. In net, Matt Turner has played in all five games making 28 saves. He carries a 0.57 goals against average and a .903 save percentage.

Fairfield won the only meeting in the series, 1-0 last year.

Sacred Heart University (0-6-1)
Sacred Heart plays Stony Brook before traveling to Cushing Field. Riding a four-game skid of their own the Pioneers are led by freshman Ermir Celaj, who has two goals for four points. Tucker Hackett has started all seven games in net and has recorded 42 saves. He adds a goals against average of 2.49 and a save percentage of .700.

The River Hawks won the previous meeting in 2013, 2-0, but trail in the series 5-13-1.