November 12 vs. UAlbany (2 p.m.)
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Twitter: @RiverHawkMSoc @RiverHawkNation
LOWELL, Mass. -- The two-seed UMass Lowell men's soccer team will host No. 4 UAlbany in the program's first appearance in the America East Championship game, as the team's will square off at Cushing Field at 2 p.m.
The River Hawks knocked off New Hampshire for the second time in 11 days with a 2-1 victory in the semifinals on November 8. Ivan Blaskic (Zagreb, Croatia) and Ivan Abramovic (Zagreb, Croatia) provided the offense for the hosts.
This marks UMass Lowell's first America East tournament appearance in program history, a year after capturing the regular-season title.
Tickets are $8 for adults, $5 for children ($14 and under), and $2 for any America East student-athletes (with valid ID).
Students Enter Free
The $2 entry fee to the UMass Lowell vs. UAlbany championship has been waived for all UMass Lowell students. The free admission for students has been sponsored by UMass Lowell Student Affairs.
Leading the Flock
Dario Jovanovski (Zagreb, Croatia) (3g, 5g) and Jakov Basic (Zagreb, Croatia) (4g, 3a) lead the team with 11 points apiece, as they pace the offense in helpers and scores, respectively. With his game-winning goal against UNH, Abramovic moves up to third on the squad with 10 points on four goals and two assists. Between the pipes, Austin Kroll (Baltimore, Md.) has allowed 19 goals on 174 shots, and has recorded 41 saves with a 1.04 goals against average and six shutouts.
Home Sweet Home
The River Hawks are riding a 16-game unbeaten streak (13-0-3) in the Mill City over the last two seasons, the third longest home unbeaten streak in program history. UMass Lowell has posted a 22-7-4 home record since 2014. Since joining DI, the boys in blue are 23-10-5 at Cushing Field.
Home Unbeaten StreaksYearLength (Record)
2006-0717 (13-0-4)
2001-0217 (15-0-2)
2016-1716 (13-0-3)
2000-0113 (10-0-3)
2011-1211 (10-0-1)
A Helping Hand
The River Hawks are tied for first with 29 total assists, and pace the league with 1.70 helpers per game.
Abramovic: Croatian for Clutch
Nine of Abramovic's 13 career goals are game winners, including three in 2017 to sit in a tie atop the conference.
Preseason Favorites
A year after capturing the America East Regular-Season and Tournament Titles, respectively, the River Hawks and Great Danes entered this season as the top two teams in the preseason coaches poll, with UMass Lowell earning five first place votes.
Scouting UAlbany
The Great Danes have defeated the five-seed UMBC and top overall seed, Vermont, to advance to their second consecutive title game. Nico Solabarrieta (8g, 6a) leads the team with 22 points, while semifinal hero, Daniel Krutzen, has a team-high seven assists. Keeper Danny Vitiello has a 0.48 GAA in 12 starts with eight shutouts.
Series History
The River Hawks are 2-7 all-time against UAlbany, with the Great Danes taking this year's regular-season meeting, 1-0.
Academic All-District
Ivan Blaskic was named to the COSIDA Academic All-District Team with a 3.85 GPA in computer science. The Zagreb, Croatia native is eligible to Academic All-American honors.
Saving Space in the Records
Kroll now sits tied for second all-time with 36 career wins and 23 career blank sheets. With 1589:17 of total playing time this season, he sits second all-time with 6101:28 minutes in a River Hawk uniform.
Croatian Connection
All five Croatian players have recorded a point this season, combining for 45 of the teamís 77 points. Four of the five rank among the squadís top four leading scorers.
Notables
Roko Prsa (Sisak, Croatia) was named the America East Rookie of the Week (10.23) ... Basic picked up his first career America East Player of the Week award (9.18) ... Prsa, Jovanovski and Osorio all tallied their first career scores the season ... UMass Lowell has won three consecutive season openers for the first time since 1999-2002, when the team earned victories in four straight.
