Friday, September 5 vs. Syracuse University (3 P.M.) at Beyer-Small '76 Field, Hamilton, N.Y.
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Sunday, September 7 vs. Colgate University (2 P.M.) at Beyer-Small '76 Field, Hamilton, N.Y.
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UMass Lowell women's soccer gets an early season test and a chance to play for a title at the Colgate Nike Classic this weekend in Hamilton, N.Y.
 
"It's about the speed of play, strength and mobility," said Head Coach Joel Bancroft.  "It's a test for a young team; you learn about yourself and your ability to compete."
 
The River Hawks face Syracuse University on Friday afternoon and the host school, Colgate University, on Sunday.  They are simply the next two opponents on a UMass Lowell schedule that BennettRank.com has rated as the toughest among America East Conference schools.  One other America East school, Vermont, is participating in the tournament, but the two will not play until they meet as part of the conference schedule.
 
"Colgate reached out to us and asked us to be part of the tournament," said Bancroft.  "It's an honor to be invited.  There is a growing excitement about what we're doing here."
 
Bancroft, in putting the schedule together, hoped to put his young team on the field against the top teams in the region.  Syracuse, a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference, is part of that plan.  The ACC is ranked as the top women's soccer conference in the country according to BennettRank.com.
 
UMass Lowell has put three consecutive solid performances together.  Two resulted in wins (against Siena and Delaware State), the third was a tough 2-1 loss to Marist College.
 
"Every time we step into a match, we want a (win) and we want a good performance," said Bancroft.  "The last three games, we've been better.  We've been more athletic, our soccer IQ has been high and we stick our nose in the fray."
 
The Opponents
Syracuse University (1-1-2)
A member of the Atlantic Coast Conference, the Orange enters the contest coming off a 1-1 tie with the University of Connecticut.   They have scored six goals in four games, but five of those markers came in their lone victory, a 5-1 beating of America East Conference member Albany. 
 
The ACC is the top ranked women's soccer conference in the country according to BennettRank.com.
 
Sophomore Stephanie Skilton leads the Orange offense with two goals.  The native of Auckland, New Zealand led the team in scoring, with nine goals and one assist, as a freshman.
 
Sophomore goalkeeper Mackenzie Moranz carries a 0.90 goals against average and an .846 save percentage into the contest.
 
Syracuse finished the 2013 campaign with a record of 7-11-1.  They were 3-9-1 in ACC play and missed the postseason.
 
Colgate University (1-1-1)
A member of the Patriot League, Colgate is off to a symmetrical start: a loss, a win and a tie.   Last time out, The Raiders are coming off a scoreless tie in a match against Colorado College on Monday.
 
Junior Corey Perrson and freshman Emily Crichlow have scored goals.  Sophomore goalkeeper Brenna Mason sports a 0.93 goals against average and a .875 save percentage.
 
Colgate earned a spot in the Patriot League Tournament a year ago with a 6-2-1 conference record.  They bowed out in the second round, eliminated by Boston University on penalty kicks.  They were 10-6-3 overall.
 
Just for Kicks…
Senior captain Sarah Raye (Salem, Mass.) and sophomore Taylor Chianese (Chepachet, R.I.) lead the team in scoring with two goals apiece.  Raye found the back of the net in the River Hawk victories against Siena and Delaware State.  Chianese had the game winner against Delaware State.
 
Guarding the Nest…
Senior goalkeepers Jill Carlson (Lexington, Mass.) and Jane Hatzikonstantis (Tewksbury, Mass.) each have a victory to their credit.  Carlson, who picked up the win against Siena, carries a 1.60 goals against average and a .765 save percentage.  Hatzikonstantis, with a 1.16 goals against average and a .750 save percentage, got credit for the victory against Delaware State after Carlson sustained an injury during the first half.