LOWELL, Mass. – The UMass Lowell men's soccer team (2-8-5, 0-3-3 AE) will wrap up the regular season as they head North to take on the New Hampshire Wildcats (11-4-0, 5-1-0 AE) this Tuesday evening at Wildcat Stadium.
Tuesday, November 1 at New Hampshire (6:00 p.m.)
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Currently holding the final playoff spot, a win would send the River Hawks to the postseason. Otherwise, UMass Lowell will need help as they look to get back to the America East Championship for the first time since 2019. Also trying to claim the final seed are Bryant and NJIT, who will be going to battle against each other Tuesday night to round out the regular season.
LAST TIME OUT
The River Hawks fought to a 0-0 tie against UAlbany, earning a crucial point in conference play as they fight for the final playoff spot. Sophomore Kai McLoughlin (Dural, New South Wales) led the team with five shots, one of which was on target. In net, senior goaltender Jacob Heihsel (Holliston, Mass) made four saves in 90 minutes of action, earning his fourth shutout of the year. His performance against the Great Danes netted him his first America East Co-Defender of the Week award, while freshman Oscar Perez (Sagunto, Spain) earned America East Rookie of the Week honors for his defensive efforts.
LEADING THE FLOCK
Senior Borna Miklic (Kutina, Croatia) currently leads the River Hawks with 14 points, including at least one point in six of the thirteen games he has appeared in. His six goals and four assists both lead the team. Right behind him is sophomore Viljar Byrkjeland (Norheimsund, Norway) who has four goals and two assists for 10 total points. In net, Heihsel leads the team with 64 saves and a 2.09 goals against average in ten games. Junior Loucas Costeas (Nicosia, Cyprus) has also seen time in net, making four starts while making 22 saves.
IMMEDIATE IMPACT
The program's newest members have already made a huge impact in their first season at UMass Lowell. Ten newcomers have started at least one game, while Byrkjeland ranks second on the team in goals and points and is third in assists, while freshman Oscar Perez (Sagunto, Spain) is the only River Hawk to have started in all 15 games. Other new faces with at least a point include graduate student Javier Torres (Málaga, Spain) and freshmen Daragh Reilly (Navan, Ireland) and Iñaki Esnaola (Junin, Argentina).
SCOUTING THE WILDCATS
Ranked 21st in the nation, New Hampshire is currently second in America East. Their last time out, they took on conference opponent Vermont, whom they fell to, 2-1. Forward Eli Goldman currently leads the team with five goals and 11 points, with midfielder Rory O'Driscoll right behind him with four goals and two assists, good for 10 points. The Wildcats' goaltended Jassem Koleilat has made 15 starts. In those appearances, he has made 29 saves and allowed only nine goals, good for a 0.61 goals against average. His eight shutouts lead all goalies in the conference.
MATCHUP HISTORY
UMass Lowell holds a 3-10-0 record against New Hampshire. The last time these teams met was during the 2021 season when the Wildcats earned a 1-0 victory in the final game of the regular season. The River Hawks will look to snap their seven-game losing streak against the Wildcats on Tuesday night.
