LOWELL, Mass. – The No. 4 UMass Lowell women's soccer team (6-9-3, 4-3-1 AE) will take on the top-seeded Black Bears of Maine (11-1-3, 7-0-1 AE) in the America East Semifinals on Thursday, November 7 kicking off at 6 p.m. at Mahaney Diamond in Orono, Maine.
Tickets will be available for purchase at Mahaney Diamond prior to the contest.
November 7 @ Maine
Watch | Live Stats
Looking at UMass Lowell
The River Hawks secured the victory in the America East Quarterfinals versus No. 5 Bryant last Sunday at Cushing Field. Senior Hope Santaniello (Agawam, Mass.) and freshman Mia Eva Girgis (Montreal, Quebec) were the goal scorers for UMass Lowell. Junior Hilary Jaén (Las Margaritas, Panama) and sophomore Marissa Sage (Milford, N.H.) each contributed on Santaniello's goal with an assist. Girgis would earn the Jersey Mike's Sub Above Player of the Game for her efforts in this contest. Graduate student Calliste Brookshire (Kingston, Mass.) totaled the most River Hawk shots with three. Graduate student Taylor Burgess (Mendon, Mass.) was in net for UMass Lowell, making eight saves. Burgess, senior Emma Mitchell (West Orange, N.J.), junior Maddie Guthrie (Stow, Mass.), and junior Megan Banzi (Plymouth, Mass.) all played the full 90 minutes of the match.
Scouting the Black Bears
Maine has not had a contest in a week, receiving a bye into the America East Semifinals as the number one seed. The team's last game was at New Hampshire, coming out on top with the 1-0 shutout. The Black Bears' leading point scorer for this season (16), Abby Kraemer, would record the lone goal in the match. Maine outshot New Hampshire, 12-9, as Kraemer and Lara Kirkby led the squad with four shots apiece.
Like UMass Lowell, the Black Bears had several athletes play the full duration of the contest. Maine stuck with almost their entire backline, with Rebecca Grisdale, Emma Schneider, Anna Phillips, and Myla Schneider playing 90 minutes, including their goalkeeper, Jessica Kasacek.
Kraemer is not only the leading point scorer for her team but has taken the most shots with 68. Jordane Pinette has 12 points, Kelly Kristina with 11, and Kirkby has 10.
Maine Matchup History
The River Hawks hold a 4-8-1 all-time record against the Black Bears.
Leading the Flock
Brookshire has totaled four goals and six assists, notching 16 points and taking 41 shots to lead the River Hawks offensively. Santaniello is now behind with seven points on three goals and one assist. Freshman Gaby Eckroth (Mechanicsburg, Pa.) and Jaén are up next with six points apiece.
Between the Sticks
Burgess, making almost all of the starts (17) for UMass Lowell, has made 109 saves so far this season, surpassing her record by 26 saves from last year (86). She holds a .826 save percentage and 1.44 goals against average.
Around the America East
Brookshire is ranked first in the America East for shot accuracy (.659). She owns third place for assists per game (.33) and total assists (6).
Burgess is second for saves per game (6.41) and total saves (109), as well as third for shutouts (5).
Maine ranks first in the America East for assists per game (1.80), total assists (27), points per game (5.27), scoring offense (1.73), shots per game (17.67), and shots on goal per game (7.93). The Black Bears are in second place for goals-against average (.800) and shutout percentage (.563). Maine is in third for total goals (26), total points (79), and shot accuracy (.449).
Playoff Picture
If the River Hawks are able to secure the win on Thursday, they would travel to face the winner of the other America East Semifinal match, No. 2 New Hampshire or No. 3 Binghamton.
Postseason History
This is the River Hawks' seventh season in a row playing in the America East postseason, all under Head Coach Mira Novak's direction. UMass Lowell has made seven total appearances in the AE playoffs, competing in two championship games.
