LOWELL, Mass. -- Senior forward
Stanley Alves (Minas Gerais, Brazil) of the UMass Lowell Men's Soccer team has signed a contract with the Richmond Kickers in USL League One, which was announced this morning by the team.
Alves registered 35 starts in 51 career contests with the River Hawks, amassing 13 goals and four assists in three seasons with the team. He totaled six goals and two assists in his senior season with UMass Lowell in 17 games. He was an America East All-Conference First-Team selection and a United Soccer Coaches All-Northeast Region Team honoree this past season. Alves also garnered America East All-Conference Second-Team recognition in his junior campaign.
"I want to start off by thanking the coaching staff, teammates, family, and ultimately God for putting me in a place where I didn't see a limit for growth," said Alves. "Some say that the people you are surrounded by are the ones that shape you. It could not have been more apparent at UMass Lowell. From academic advisors to coaches to some of my best friends, I owe my success on and off the field to them. It truly is a blessing to have them around me because work ethic that embodies myself, shows in the people around me. Thanks to them, I was able to fulfill my lifelong dream of signing a professional contract. In addition, I'd like to thank coach Darren Sawatzky for seeing something special in me and offering me my first pro contract. The first is always a special one."
During his collegiate career, Alves has stints with Seacoast United in USL League Two and the New England Revolution U-23s.
"We are all very happy for Stanley and excited for his next journey," said UMass Lowell Head Coach
Christian Figueroa. "I have seen him fight through obstacles during his time here and never doubted he would get himself to this point. His perseverance and character have led him to this point, and now we will not only have the opportunity to see him continue to grow as a player, but as the great person and teammate he has become in his time here. We wish him the best of luck moving forward."
"Stanley was a player we watched during the college season at Lowell and he attended our combine weekend in December," commented Sawatzky, Kickers Sporting Director and Head Coach. "He is clinical in his finishing and he puts himself in good positions to finish off opportunities created by the team. Having another attacking option creates competition and brings the level of players up in our team. We look forward to getting Stanley in front of the goal."
