LOWELL, Mass. – UMass Lowell Men's Soccer Head Coach Christian Figueroa announced seven incoming players for the upcoming season.

Coming off a third-place finish in the America East, the program will enter its third year in Division I welcoming Kevin Herrera (), Keith Hill (Exeter, N.H.), Julian Stewart (Acton, Mass.), Gabriel Polanco Rodriguez (), Chase Reichenberg (Hamburg, Germany), Brandon Vazquez (Amherst, Mass.) and Edward Venta-Yepes (Lowell, Mass.).

"We're very pleased with the group we have coming in," said Figueroa. "We feel we have a well-balanced class with players that have played at high levels in the last few years. We believe this will help raise the level of our program immediately. The mix of local talent and international talent coming in will help us take the next step needed as we continue to grow as a program."

"The maturity and experience this class will bring to UMass Lowell is something that really caught the attention of our coaching staff throughout the recruiting process. We are very excited to get this new group involved this year and feel that each one will contribute to the team's goals."

RIVER HAWK MEN'S SOCCER PLAYER PROFILES

Name: Kevin Herrera
Hometown/High School: Lynn, Mass./Brooks School
Position: Midfield
Height: 5'8"
Weight: 160
Club Team: Seacoast United Soccer Club
Major: Undeclared/Liberal Arts

Why UMass Lowell: "I was attracted to the rigorous academic curriculum, and the belief Coach Figueroa has in me."

Highlights: Named to ISL All-Conference Honorable Mention Team … played varsity soccer as a freshman at Buckingham Browne and Nichols … Three-time honor roll student at Lynn English High School 2012-2013.

Name: Keith Hill
Hometown/High School: Exeter, N.H./Coe-Brown Northwood Academy
Position: Back
Height: 6'0"
Weight: 175
Club Team: Seacoast United Soccer Club
Major: Undeclared

Why UMass Lowell: "I chose UMass Lowell because it is close to home and it has a well-recognized engineering program."

Highlights: Played final two years of high school at Coe-Brown Northwood Academy … started high school at Exeter.

Name: Gabriel Polanco Rodriguez
Hometown/High School: Beverly, Mass./Brewster Academy
Position: Midfield
Height: 5'6"
Weight: 149
Club Team: Seacoast United Soccer Club
Major: Business and Management

Why UMass Lowell: "I love the overall university and the community around the school."

Highlights: Senior captain of Lakes Region Champion … named MVP and NEPSAC All-Star … earned NEPSAC All-Star honors his junior season … while at Salem High School named MVP and NEC All-Star (2x) … earned Coaches Award freshman season … National Scholar Society member.

Name: Chase Reichenberg
Hometown/High School:  Hamburg, Germany/Walddörfer Gymnasium
Position: Back
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 195
Club Team: TSV Sasel
Major: Business Administration
Minor: Marketing

Why UMass Lowell: "I believe that UMass Lowell is the best school for me. I believe in what the coaches have planned for the future and it's something I want to be a part of."

Highlights: Spent last season playing for SC Victoria Hamburg, the third largest club in Hamburg … started 23 of 24 games; tallying one goal and three assists … has previously played for the U19 Vfb Lübeck squad in the Bundesliga and the U19 SC Condor club in the Regionalliga Nord.

Name: Julian Stewart
Hometown/High School: Acton, Mass./Acton-Boxboro Regional
Position: Back
Height: 5'9"
Weight: 160
Club Team: FC Stars
Major: Business Finance
Minor: Marketing

Why UMass Lowell: "The school is very close to home, and I have played for Coach Figueroa in the past and loved being on his team. UMass Lowell has the reputation of being a very good school, and with the investments made to improve and expand the campus I believe I can get a great education."

Highlights: Three-year varsity letterwinner at A-B … senior captain for the Division I North State Finalist … named a Dual County League All-Star … after his junior season was named a DCL All-Star and Eastern Mass All-Star … made it to state championship game with club team … on the ice was a senior captain and DCL All-Star … also earned All-Conference honors and named Offensive Player of the Year … member of the A-B Ambassador Program and Athletic Leadership Group.

Name: Brandon Vazquez
Hometown High School: Amherst, Mass./Amherst Regional
Previous College: Massachusetts
Position: Midfield
Height: 5'9"
Weight: 160
Club Team: Western United Pioneers
Major: Public Health

Why UMass Lowell: "I was impressed with the tremendous opportunities to receive a high level education and continue to play soccer."

Highlights: Tallied one assist his freshman season at Massachusetts … four-year varsity player at Amherst Regional, recording 25 goals and 14 assists … earned All-Western Mass honors by the Springfield Republican …named All-State by the Western Mass Soccer Coaches Association in both his junior and senior seasons … honor roll student.

Name: Edward Venta-Yepes
Hometown/High School: Lowell, Mass./Lowell
Position: Midfield
Height: 5'7"
Weight: 135
Club Team: Pride Soccer Club
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Minor: Math

Why UMass Lowell: "I chose UMass Lowell for the proximity to home and the engineering program."

Highlights: Spent the last two years playing for the New England Revolution Academy … played for the Colorado Rapids Academy his sophomore year …led the team with 12 goals … as a freshman was on Thomas Jefferson High (Colo.) varsity … Scored 16 goals and named First-Team All-Colorado … made honor roll all four years … National Honor Society member.