LOWELL, Mass. – Entering the season with many fresh faces, the UMass Lowell men’s soccer team fought through a challenging, 16-game schedule that featured three ranked conference opponents.

NEWCOMER RELEASE

Ahead of the 2023 season, Head Coach Kyle Zenoni announced his class of newcomers, which featured 11 transfers and three freshmen, to help solidify the roster. 

UML 2, NU 1 - RECAP

Following a draw in the season opener, the River Hawks looked to find their first win on the road against CAA opponent Northeastern. The game proved to be a defensive battle early, as neither side got on the board in the first half, but in the 51st minute, freshman Daniele Mastroianni (Montréal, Quebec) launched a shot into the top right corner of the net for his first career goal. The Huskies quickly retaliated, but with six minutes to play, Mastroianni struck again with the game-winner. In net, graduate student Jacob Heihsel (Holliston, Mass.) had an impressive performance, making six saves, while allowing only one goal.

MASTROIANNI AMERICA EAST ROOKIE OF THE WEEK RELEASE

Following his two-goal effort to lead the River Hawks to the victory over Northeastern, Mastroianni was named the America East Rookie of the Week. The honor marked the first of his career, and the first of the season for UMass Lowell.

UML 2, MC 2 - RECAP

In the home opener, the River Hawks took on local rival Merrimack, as they looked to earn their first win against the Warriors since 2019. Although the visitors logged the opening goal less than a minute into the match, UMass Lowell fought the entire game, finding the equalizer in the 66th minute off the foot of senior Guillermo Francés Poquet (Enguera, Valencia). With under eight minutes to play, a foul in the box set the River Hawks up with a penalty kick, which Francés Poquet promptly sent into the back of the net to go up 2-1. Less than a minute later, a penalty kick by Merrimack sealed the 2-2 draw.

UML 1, UMASS 1 – RECAP

Welcoming Massachusetts to Cushing Field for the annual Kennedy Cup clash, the River Hawks looked to build momentum ahead of the final three games of the year. Following a scoreless first half, the Minutemen struck first in the 65th minute. Not backing down, the hosts continued to push the ball downfield as they attempted to even the score. After sophomore Calvin Scholten (Hengelo, Netherlands) sent a pass into the box for junior Shunnosuke Nakajima (Yokohama, Japan), the junior headed the ball directly to graduate student Josh Ofosu (Chelmsford, Mass.). Ofosu capitalized on the opportunity, firing a rocket into the back of the net for his first career goal. The River Hawks played excellent defense in the final minutes, sealing the 1-1 decision.

Between the substantial incoming class and the plethora of returning members, the River Hawks proved to have impressive depth. Throughout the season, 23 different River Hawks made at least one start, while 18 tallied one or more points. Leading the offense was Francés Poquet, whose five goals and ten points were both team-highs. Right behind him, Mastroianni scored four goals on his way to eight points. Scholten left his mark on the offense, pacing the squad with three assists. The primary goalkeeper, junior Adam Henry (Fort Myers, Fl.), made 11 total starts on his way to 55 saves in 990 minutes of action. The Florida native also logged his first shutout as a River Hawk in the victory over CCSU. 

America East All-Conference Award Winners Release

After the end of the 2023 season, three River Hawks were tabbed to All-Conference teams. Daniele Mastroianni was named to the America East All-Rookie team, marking the 11th straight year the program had at least one player on the team. For the second straight year, graduate student Denis Petro (Michalovce, Slovakia) and senior Guillermo Francés Poquet (Enguera, Valencia) were both named to the conference’s All-Academic team. For Petro, it was also his third time earning All-Academic honors.