Box Score (PDF) | Postgame Interview | Photo Gallery

BROOKLINE, Mass. – Wuilito Fernandes' (Praia, Cape Verde) 15th career goal in the 69th minute sent the UMass Lowell men's soccer team (1-0) to a season-opening win, 2-1, at Northeastern on Friday afternoon.
 
For the first time in the program's Division I era, the River Hawks have won back-to-back season openers.
 
Fernandes gathered the ball at the top of the 18-yard box and created space with a nifty toe drag and used the outside of his foot to send a bouncing ball over the outstretched hands of Jonathan Thuresson. Ivan Abramovic (Zagreb, Croatia) recorded his first career point with the assist on the play.
 
"It's a good hard win for the guys," remarked Head Coach Christian Figueroa. "We managed it pretty well, and it was a great response less than two minutes after going down 1-0. It's a young group out there and we're pleased with it, but we have some work to do. It's a great way to start the season and now it's time to recover for Sunday."
 
Northeastern almost took the lead moments before the deciding goal, but Austin Kroll (Baltimore, Md.) made a phenomenal kick save on Charlton Muhlauri in the 54th minute. Kroll made two saves for his 16th career win, moving within one result of a tie for fourth all-time.
 
The Huskies took a 1-0 lead in the 31st minute when Christian McKenna's cross found Daniel Arvidsson's head in the six- yard box and snuck it into the back of the night.
 
The River Hawks countered less than two minutes later and Ben Waithe (Plymouth, Mass.) capitalized for his first career goal and the equalizer. After a UMass Lowell corner, the Huskies failed to clear and the loose ball bounced to the freshman waiting at the far corner, and he wasted no time sending the ball into the open net.
 
UMass Lowell outshot the hosts, 11-9, and recorded 10 shots on target compared to the Huskies' three. Abramovic recorded a team-high two shots, and led all players with two shots on goal.
 
The River Hawks head down to New Jersey for a Sunday afternoon matinee on the campus of Monmouth University at 1 p.m. UMass Lowell is 1-1 all-time against the Hawks following last year's opening 1-0 win.