River Hawk student-athletes continued to thrive in the classroom in 2022-23, having now recorded 21 straight semesters with a GPA over 3.0. The women's lacrosse (3.420 GPA) and men's ice hockey teams (3.490 GPA) earned the department's Bob Griffin Academic Awards for posting the highest team grade point average over the course of the academic year.
"Our River Hawk student-athletes, coaches and academic advisors continue to place an emphasis on keeping the 'student' in student-athlete," said Director of Athletics Peter Casey. "Because of this commitment during their years on campus, our River Hawks are ready to succeed in whatever they choose to pursue when their athletic careers are finished. I truly commend our student-athletes for their dedication to their studies, and thank our academic advisors and coaching staffs for supporting the complete student-athlete."
UMass Lowell field hockey senior forward Megan Salsinha (Westport, Mass.) was honored with multiple distinctions on Commencement Eve at the 2023 Chancellor's Medal Celebration.
Salsinha was one of 40 members of UMass Lowell's Class of 2023 to be recognized. She received the University Scholar-Athlete Award, which recognizes the student-athlete with the highest cumulative GPA. Additionally, she received Chancellor's Medals for Distinguished Academic Achievement and Community Service. Perhaps most impressively, though, Salsinha earned the Trustees Key for completing all four years of her undergraduate degree with a perfect 4.0 GPA.
"Megan is a once in a career type of student-athlete," said UMass Lowell Field Hockey Head Coach Shannon LeBlanc. "She has impacted not only our field hockey program in the most positive of ways, but the university as a whole. She brings incredible passion and intentional leadership to everything she does, whether it is on the field, in the classroom or in her service to our community. I couldn't be more proud of or grateful for Megan. She graduates as one of the most decorated student-athletes we've ever had in our program, but what is even more amazing is that she will be remembered as one of the best teammates to ever journey through our program. Her coaching staff and teammates agree that she had a team-first mentality every single day of her career."
Salsinha graduated with a degree in biology. A member of the UMass Lowell Honors College and a tutor, she was named to the America East All-Academic Team in 2021. She was also a four-time NFHCA Division I National Academic team selection and Scholar of Distinction. Salsinha also made a lasting impact through her service to the surrounding community. She was a two-year, co-president of the UMass Lowell Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), a Morgan's Message Ambassador for student-athlete mental health, a volunteer at the Boys & Girls Club and a pen pal to local students. She was named to the 2022 America East Helping Hands Team for all of her service efforts.
Megan is going to need a bigger trophy case for all these awards!! Congratulations on an outstanding career!!https://t.co/ogCF9lWoQG#UnitedInBlue | #AEFH
— UMass Lowell FH (@RiverHawkFH) May 24, 2023
CROSS COUNTRY
The UMass Lowell cross country team ran it back once again in 2022, as they turned in another outstanding season on the course. The River Hawks commanded their races throughout the season and at the 2022 America East Cross Country Championships, where both the men's and women's teams completed the three-peat.
The River Hawks’ coaching crew led by Head Coach Gary Gardner was tabbed the Coaching Staff of the Year for both the men’s and women’s squads for the third consecutive year. A plethora of PRs were broken, senior Kenzie Doyle broke an America East record, and Sarah Ross earned the America East Elite 18 Award.
The River Hawks saw five student-athletes earn All-Conference First Team honors and six make their way onto the All-Conference Second Team.
FIELD HOCKEY
The UMass Lowell field hockey team soared to new heights in 2022, compiling record after record throughout the season. The squad finished 12-7 overall on the year, which not only marked the River Hawks’ third straight winning season, but also set a new a Division I program best for wins.
In conference play, the River Hawks once again set a new bar. The team went a program-best 6-2 in America East play to tie UAlbany for a historic second-place finish in the regular-season standings and clinch the No. 3 seed for the America East Championship for the first time ever.
Six members of the team earned America East All-Conference honors for their efforts following the history-making season. Jenna Berger was named to the America East All-Conference First Team, while Alissia de Vries and Mirthe Gans were selected for Second Team honors. Madison Leeper and Mieke Vischer were tabbed to the America East All-Rookie Team, as well. Eleonore Boekhorst rounded out the honorees, joining de Vries on the league's All-Academic Team.
Berger and de Vries also received 2022 NFHCA Division I All-Northeast Region accolades. Berger garnered an All-Region First Team nod after being tabbed to the Second Team in 2021, becoming the River Hawks’ first Division I First Team selection, as well as the program’s only two-time All-Region recipient at the DI level. De Vries also earned a spot on the All-Region Second Team this year.
MEN'S BASKETBALL
Win a lot of games. Set a lot of records. Gain a lot of fans. That was the recipe for success for the UMass Lowell men’s basketball team in 2022-23, as the River Hawks impressed night after night.
The team compiled an astounding 26-8 overall record, setting new Division I program bests for wins and win percentage (.765), and marking the first 20-win season for the River Hawks since 2010-11. The River Hawks also collected a record 11 victories during America East Conference play to finish second in the league standings (11-5) and earn a home court advantage in the America East Playoffs for the first time ever en route to their second championship game appearance in three years.
Perhaps their most impressive feat, the River Hawks were unbeatable in Lowell in 2022-23, going a perfect, 17-0 on their home floors in Costello Athletic Center and the Tsongas Center. During the season, the team played in front of a sold out crowd at Costello for the first time at the DI level on January 22 against Bryant and set a new attendance record of 4,114 at Tsongas against New Hampshire on February 25.
Head Coach Pat Duquette capped off the historic season with both America East and NABC District I Coach of the Year honors. He was also selected as a finalist for the Hugh Durham National Coach of the Year Award. Everette Hammond, who was named to the America East All-Conference First Team, paced the team with 13.6 points per game, while Abdoul Karim Coulibaly, who was tabbed to the league’s Second Team, added 11.4 points and a team-best 7.6 rebounds per game with eight double-doubles. Allin Blunt garnered America East Third Team accolades and Max Brooks was named to the league’s All-Defensive Team.
MEN'S & WOMEN'S INDOOR TRACK & FIELD
The River Hawks had yet another decorative season during the 2022-23 winter indoor season, winning both the men's and women's America East Indoor Championships and picking up some amazing performances along the way.
The men claimed their second title in a row, scoring 185.5 team points. They blew away the competition with impressive performances and personal bests across the board. In total, the River Hawks earned five individual titles and one relay championship to help complete their back-to-back title chase.
On the women's side, they picked up their first-ever America East Championship victory, edging out 10-year reigning champion UAlbany by half a point. The squad finished the day with 196.5 points to hoist the trophy. Out of twenty Day-Two events, the River Hawks collected four individual titles, as well as another relay team crown.
Gardner and the entire UMass Lowell coaching staff were also named the Coaching Staff of the Year for leading both the men's and women's squads to the title sweep.
ICE HOCKEY
Success is the norm for the UMass Lowell men’s hockey team, and the 2022-23 campaign was no exception. A gritty season earned the River Hawks an 18-15-3 (11-10-3 HEA) mark, as they returned to the Hockey East Semifinals for the third-consecutive year, proving once again that the Men of Lowell have the will and the way of rising to the occasion.
The River Hawks racked up accomplishments during the 2022-23 season, including a spot in the national rankings for 21 consecutive weeks. The team also stood amongst the nation’s best in several statistical categories, including scoring defense (2.28 GAA – 8th NCAA, 1st HEA), faceoff percentage (.533 – 6th NCAA, 1st HEA), and penalty killing percentage (.842 – 11th NCAA, 3rd HEA).
The end of the season only brought about more wins for the River Hawks in the form of signings and postseason honors. Graduate students Jon McDonald and Gustavs Davis Grigals were tabbed to the Hockey East All-Star Third Team after their incredible campaigns. Carl Berglund, Zach Kaiser, Jon McDonald, Marek Korencik and Gustavs Davis Grigals all took their game to the next level after inking professional contracts to add to the long list of River Hawks in the pros.
MEN'S OUTDOOR TRACK & FIELD
The River Hawks added even more to their dynasty during the 2023 outdoor season.
The men claimed their first America East Outdoor Championship in program history. To make it even sweeter, the victory completed the triple crown for the men's squad, becoming America East Champions in all three consecutive seasons this past year, including cross country, and both indoor and outdoor track and field.
Freshman Derek Munroe definitely stepped up, and was named the 2023 America East Track and Field Most Outstanding Rookie for his victory in the men's decathlon, which consists of 10 different events, both on the track and the field. Michael Makiej also brought home some extra hardware, earning the America East Track and Field Elite 18 Award for posting the highest GPA of any athlete to finish top eight during the weekend, proving his hard work in both the classroom and athletics. Javelin thrower James Kotowski smashed not only his personal record, but also the 25-year-old America East record, reaching a whopping 71.78m. This came just one week after defeating 13 other throwers at the Penn Relays to become a Penn Relays Champion with a 70.42m throw.
The River Hawks had multiple first-place finishes on top of these award winners. Head Coach Gary Gardner and his staff were also named the 2023 America East Outdoor Track and Field Coaching Staff of the Year, giving them the award in all three season in 2022-23.
The Kennedy Cup Challenge was established in the fall of 2018 and will be awarded annually to the team with the most wins in the cumulative season series between the UMass Lowell and UMass Amherst. John Kennedy is a longtime supporter of the UMass Lowell and UMass Amherst athletic programs. Kennedy holds degrees from both schools, Lowell Technological Institute ('70, H '16) and UMass Amherst ('76), with degrees in Mathematics (BS) and Accounting (MS), respectively. Kennedy also received an honorary degree from UMass Lowell in 2016.
"As a graduate of UMass Amherst and UMass Lowell I have strived to support the athletic departments of both campuses," said John Kennedy. "I am thrilled to see that there will be a significant expansion of the original Kennedy Cup concept started when the two campuses only played each other in field hockey. Going forward I am hopeful that there will develop a great rivalry between the campus, but more importantly that both will benefit from a deeper and deeper relationship."
The idea originated with the River Hawk and Minutewomen field hockey programs playing for the trophy when UMass Lowell joined Division I in the fall of 2013. The River Hawks and Minutemen also competed for the Alumni Cup for 23 years in the sport of men's ice hockey. UMass Lowell won or retained the Cup in 17 of those 23 seasons.
The teams played a total of 14 events against each other during the 2018-19 season. The UMass Lowell men's soccer team won (1-0) the inaugural game in the series on Friday, August 24, 2018 against the Minutemen in the season opener at Cushing Field Complex. UMass Lowell won the season series, 8-6 in 14 contests during the 2018-19 season.
This year, the River Hawks also won the challenge, 9-5-2, thanks to four consecutive victories down the stretch from the UMass Lowell softball, baseball, and men's and women's outdoor track & field teams.
From school visits to games dedicated in honor of special causes, the River Hawks were as engaged in the community as ever. UMass Lowell Athletics continued its Pen Pal Program between student-athletes and local elementary students, with a three-fold increase in Pen Pals and the addition of a second school partnership. Additionally, the River Hawks once again led the way in the America East Conference's Food Frenzy, collecting over 10,000 items to be donated to the Merrimack Valley Food Bank, UMass Lowell's own Strive Pantry, House of Hope and Catie's Closet. Led by the department's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, UMass Lowell also hosted Spread Respect Games, and the Morgan's Message Ambassadors within the department organized dedication games focused on raising awareness surrounding mental health issues.
After another successful year exchanging letters, our River Hawks had a great time meeting their new friends at the Pen Pal Picnic!
— UMassLowellAthletics (@RiverHawkNation) April 20, 2023
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Taking a shot at mental health ??
— UMass Lowell Men’s Lacrosse (@RiverHawkMLax) April 3, 2023
Honored to have played for something bigger than lacrosse this weekend ??
For more information or to get involved with @MorgansMessage, please visit: https://t.co/GINEd02eTV#UnitedInBlue | #AEMLAX pic.twitter.com/0nvPYm5PZs
Happy National Read Across America Day!??
— UMassLowellAthletics (@RiverHawkNation) March 2, 2023
Six River Hawk student-athletes visited Pyne Arts Elementary School today and inspired the next generation by reading to their classes!
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It's about more than a game. It's about a ??????????????????.@RiverHawkMBB and @RiverHawkWBB recently visited a local school to talk about healthy decision making!https://t.co/y1Jsg6V0DM#UnitedInBlue | #AEHoops pic.twitter.com/rmpS9m2xHn
— UMassLowellAthletics (@RiverHawkNation) December 15, 2022
UMass Lowell Athletics hosted its 2022 Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Saturday, October 1 at the Inn & Conference Center as part of River Hawk homecoming weekend. The ceremony enshrined three historic UMass Lowell teams into the Athletics Hall of Fame, including the 1975 softball team, which was the university's first women's team to advance to post-season play, as well as the 2001 and 2002 NCAA Northeast Regional Champion baseball teams.
“A new Hall of Fame class is always exciting because it allows us to reflect on some of the greatest accomplishments in our school's history,” said Director of Athletics Peter Casey. “These teams were all incredibly successful, both on and off the field, and I am grateful for the fantastic legacy that they left for our current student-athletes to build upon.”
"I hope they always remember to go down and pick up the person below them to make them just as successful."
— UMassLowellAthletics (@RiverHawkNation) February 13, 2023
So much wisdom and advice shared at this year's River Hawk to River Hawk Women's Mentoring & Networking Night!
Event Recap: https://t.co/MEVID7Z0u9#UnitedInBlue pic.twitter.com/cUtG1PnfFQ
WHAT A NIGHT!! ??
— UMassLowellAthletics (@RiverHawkNation) May 1, 2023
Could not think of a better way to celebrate our amazing student-athletes and all they've done this year!!
Check out all the winners, photos and interviews from #TheRowdys here - https://t.co/HljcnQze97#UnitedInBlue pic.twitter.com/RUdGMjwkv2
Congratulations Class of 2023!!
— UMassLowellAthletics (@RiverHawkNation) May 13, 2023
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Thank you for leaving River Hawk Nation better than you found it! We can’t wait to see what you do next! #UnitedInBlue | #AlwaysARiverHawk#UML2023 | #AEGrads pic.twitter.com/UJqYVum7uE
The 2023 River Hawk Open was a ???????????????????? success!??
— UMassLowellAthletics (@RiverHawkNation) June 27, 2023
Take a look back at our SOLD OUT event at Four Oaks Country Club, where we celebrated women's athletics and raised over $7,000 for the female student-athlete support fund!
??: https://t.co/kbmK3LaLYq#UnitedInBlue pic.twitter.com/5BMxvyowJd
UMass Lowell is Making Strides to Tackle Mental Health
— UMassLowellAthletics (@RiverHawkNation) August 14, 2023
??: https://t.co/3zlKzrqyKx#UnitedInBlue pic.twitter.com/W8MoA14Kwy
"I'm so happy to be Cambodian, I'm so happy to be home, I'm so happy to be competing."
— UMassLowellAthletics (@RiverHawkNation) August 1, 2023
Former @RiverHawkXCTF thrower Patrick Pang ('22) had the amazing opportunity to represent Cambodia at this year's Southeast Asian Games.
??: https://t.co/xycaeHmLHN#UnitedInBlue pic.twitter.com/KXr5QLLuR1
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— UMass Lowell FH (@RiverHawkFH) June 23, 2023
Hear from the team about our recent journey to Portugal, a once-in-a-lifetime cultural experience!!
??: https://t.co/Ln0EkzvB1M pic.twitter.com/PXpHFidoXl
“I want to help put young men that look like myself in positions to lead. It took a village to raise me, so giving back is how I pay it forward”
— UMassLowellAthletics (@RiverHawkNation) February 23, 2023
An inspiring spotlight on @RiverHawkMBB alum Stacey Moragne wraps up our #BlackHistoryMonth series!#UnitedInBlue | #SpreadRespect pic.twitter.com/Ej58k11CPe
With over 20 events this year, we loved having the chance to get to interact with our generous donors and corporate partners from around the country that help us provide the best experience possible for our student-athletes. Some event highlights from the year are pictured below, including our Hall of Fame induction ceremony, the River Hawk to River Hawk Women's Mentoring Night, the Nine & Dine and River Hawk Open golf outings, the United In Blue Appreciation Night, and the Sunset Social where we awarded hockey alum Dean Jenkins his diploma after he finished the NCAA Degree Completion Program.
