LOWELL, Mass. -- Former UMass Lowell men's soccer standout Wuilito Fernandes (Praia, Cape Verde) was named to the Cape Verde men's national team last month, and made his debut in the team's 2-0 victory against Luxembourg on March 28. 

Fernandes completed his collegiate tenure as a MAC Hermann semifinalist and a NCSAA First-Team All American after setting career highs with 11 goals, five assists and 27 points, and leading the America East with 1.69 points per game. He finished his career eighth in total scoring (60 points) and eighth in career goals (25). The forward also tied the third-best scoring mark in a single season with 11 tallies. He earned America East Striker of the Year, America East All-Conference First Team and NSCAA All-East Region First Team accolades, as well, and was named to the College Soccer News National Team of the Week twice. In January, Fernandes became the first player in program history to be drafted in the MLS SuperDraft, being selected in the third round by FC Dallas. 

Cape Verde will continue its journey to qualify for the nation's first World Cup appearance in Russia 2018 with a match against South Africa on August 28.