LOWELL, Mass. – The UMass Lowell women's soccer team (1-3-1) will travel to New Britain, Connecticut to face the Central Connecticut State Blue Devils (0-4-0) on Sunday, September 8. The kickoff is set for 2:00 p.m. at the CCSU Soccer Field.
September 8 vs Central Connecticut (NEC Front Row – 2 p.m.)
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Looking at UMass Lowell
So far, the River Hawks have one win on the season, taking down Boston University, 1-0, on August 22. Most recently, UMass Lowell played to a draw with Rhode Island, 1-1, on Sept. 1. Freshman Gaby Eckroth (Mechanicsburg, Pa.) and senior Laura Cetina (A Coruña, Galicia, Spain) currently lead the River Hawks with one goal apiece, while junior Hilary Jaén (Las Margaritas, Panama) and senior Kelli Buckley (Shrewsbury, Mass.) add one assist apiece. UMass Lowell totals 46 shots so far with 24 on goal, averaging 9.2 total shots per game. Cetina paces the River Hawks with nine shots, graduate student Calliste Brookshire (Kingston, Mass.) follows with seven and Eckroth has chipped in with six.
Scouting the Blue Devils
CCSU has not had a victory this season, going 0-4 in non-conference play. The Blue Devils have not been able to record a goal, but have totaled 32 shots so far to average eight per game. Of those 32 shots, 11 have been on target. Abbie Burgess leads the squad with six shots, while Gia Edwards, Emma Radoncic and Victoria Violette follow with five apiece. Goalkeepers Melina Ford and Taylor DeFlorio have each started in two contests. Ford has 14 saves recorded, averaging a .824 save percentage. DeFlorio has made four saves, with a .571 save percentage.
CCSU Matchup History
This will be the third match between the River Hawks and the Blue Devils, as CCSU currently leads the all-time series 2-0, however the two squads have not met since 2016.
Instant Impact
Cetina has been stable and dependable in the midfield, helping control the pace of play, and currently leads the River Hawks offensively. Eckroth continues to see a chunk of time in every match, as she stands out as a freshman striker. Jaén (Las Margaritas, Panama) was credited with a beautiful assist to Cetina's goal against URI, showing off another one of her tools from her toolbox. Junior Megan Banzi (Plymouth, Mass.) has totaled 381 minutes throughout the five games played, the most of the River Hawks lineup. Banzi holds down the backline, as she is an important part of UMass Lowell's squad.
Between the Sticks
Graduate Student Taylor Burgess (Mendon, Mass.) has started in four out of the five contests played. The keeper has made 27 saves, with a .844 save percentage to date. Burgess totaled a season-high of 10 saves versus LSU on August 29, making remarkable stops in net.
Around the America East
The River Hawks are currently second for shot accuracy and saves per game throughout the America East. Burgess is second for saves per game and third for save percentage and total saves in the conference. America East action will begin on September 29, versus UMBC at Cushing Field, kicking off at 1 p.m.
