LOWELL, Mass. – The UMass Lowell women's soccer team (4-9-3, 3-3-1 AE) is set to host its final regular season match at Cushing Field versus Bryant (5-7-4, 3-3-1 AE) on October 31, kicking off at 7 p.m.
The River Hawks will celebrate their seniors,
Hope Santaniello (Agawam, Mass.),
Emma Mitchell (West Orange, N.J.), Lærke Niklasson (Roskilde, Denmark),
Kelli Buckley (Shrewsbury, Mass.),
Laura Cetina (A Coruña, Galicia, Spain), and manager Jamie Jimenez before the contest.
The River Hawks clinched a spot in the America East Playoffs on Sunday. Thursday's game will determine their home or away status for the quarterfinals on November 3
rd, as well as their opponent.
October 31 vs Bryant
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Looking at UMass Lowell
The River Hawks traveled to Binghamton on Sunday, playing to a 3-3 draw. After going down three goals in the first half to the Bearcats, the River Hawks climbed their way back with three goals of their own in the second. Senior Emma Mitchel (West Orange, N.J.), senior
Laura Cetina (A Coruña, Galicia, Spain), and graduate student
Calliste Brookshire (Kingston, Mass.) were the goal scorers. Freshman
Gaby Eckroth (Mechanicsburg, Pa.) contributed with an assist on Cetina's goal.
Binghamton outshot UMass Lowell by one, 10-9, as Brookshire and Cetina would lead the River Hawks in shots with two each.
Graduate student
Taylor Burgess (Mendon, Mass.) and freshman
Rachel Welch (Franklin, Mass.) split the time in net, with Burgess receiving the start and making four saves.
Scouting the Bulldogs
Bryant faced off against Vermont on Sunday, tying 1-1. The solo Bulldog goal was recorded by Jordyn Collins, with an assist from Caitlin Forshay.
The Catamounts outshot the Bulldogs 26-23, with Collins credited with nine of Bryant's shots.
Selena Negron was in between the posts for the Bulldogs, making three saves. Negron has made 59 saves so far this season to average an .819 save percentage. She has started in 11 contests totaling 937 minutes.
Shannon Mejia also receives time in net for Bryant as she has made five starts with seven games played. Mejia has made 35 saves, averaging a .795 save percentage.
Collins guides the Bulldogs with 10 points on four goals and two assists. Catherine Bean follows with eight points and Makayla Griffin has six points.
Kelsie Wandyes has totaled the most minutes for Bryant with 1400, as she has played almost every minute for the Bulldogs on the backline.
Bryant Matchup History
The River Hawks have maintained a 5-0-2 all-time record against the Bulldogs.
Leading the Flock
Brookshire is the River Hawks' offensive threat with 14 points on four goals and six assists, with 35 shots. Eckroth, junior Hilary Jaén (Las Margaritas, Panama), Mitchell, and senior
Hope Santaniello (Agawam, Mass.) all trail with five points apiece.
Junior
Megan Banzi (Plymouth, Mass.) continues to accumulate minutes as a River Hawk defender, having competed in 1365 minutes so far with 15 starts.
Between the Sticks
Burgess continues to start in net for the River Hawks, now totaling 15 starts. She has made 89 saves to earn a .802 save percentage, with four shutout victories this season.
Welch has appeared in three matches, making nine saves and averaging .900 save percentage.
Around the America East
Brookshire is ranked first in the America East for assists per game (.44) and total assists (6). She holds third place for shots per game (3.06) and points per game (1.00).
Burgess ranks first in the AE for total saves (89) and second for goal minutes played (1660). She holds third place for save percentage (.817), saves per game (4.78), and shutouts (4).
