LOWELL, Mass. – UMass Lowell women's soccer Head Coach Mira Novak has introduced the seven newcomers to the 2025 roster.
This year's class is composed of freshmen defenders Anna Joseph (Sutton, Mass.) and Ava Kopicko (Nashua, N.H.), freshmen forwards Anneliese Collin (Portland, Maine), Nora Belin (Stockholm, Sweden) and Kiera Fitzpatrick (Methuen, Mass.), freshman midfielder Emma Theorén (Sollentuna, Vällingby), and freshman goalkeeper Lucie Chumanová (Prague, Czech Republic).
"We are excited about the potential of our first-year class as they go through their adjustment period to college soccer," said Novak. "I hope to help them grow and develop into better players and people, and I am excited to watch them represent the UMass Lowell women's soccer program with pride and hard work. I am in no doubt they will all face challenges in their careers, but they all have a team-first mentality, work rate, and willingness to learn, and I could not be more excited to welcome them into the program."
Meet the Players
Name: Nora Belin
Hometown/High School: Stockholm, Sweden / Nacka Gymnasium
Position: Forward
Height: 5-8
Club Team: Boo FF - Stockholm
Major/Minor: Business
HIGH SCHOOL: Moved up to the Women's A-Team in her club, Boo FF, to play Division One soccer (2019), the third highest in Sweden ... helped achieve a Division One title for Boo FF (2021).
PERSONAL: Daughter of Mathias and Josefin… Has two siblings (Andrea and David) … Says her favorite professional sports team is the Liverpool Football Club… says her favorite hobbies are skiing and sailing… Chose UMass Lowell because she got a really good impression of Coach Mira, and also had a former teammate who also played at UMass Lowell and had many good things to say about the team, program and Mira.
NOVAK: "Nora is a relentless worker with a winning mentality, who joined us already for the spring. Nora is a great forward who can hold the ball well, as well as threaten behind. I hope to see her contribute in several roles this year."
Name: Lucie Chumanová
Hometown/High School: Prague, Czech Republic / IMG Academy
Position: Goalkeeper
Height: 5-7
Club Team: IMG Academy
Major/Minor: Business
HIGH SCHOOL: Nationals Qualifier at IMG Academy (2024)… Southeast Conference Girls Academy League Winners (U17) (2023)... Advanced to the Regional Championship (2022, 2023)... Southeast Conference Girls Academy League Winners (U16) (2022)... Called up to the National team (Czechia U16, 2022)... Captain during her sophomore year (2022)... IMG Team MVP (2022, 2023)... Represented the Czech Republic on the U15 and U16 youth national team (2021).
PERSONAL: Daughter of Zuzana and Marek… Has one sibling (Marek) … Names Peaky Blinders as her favorite TV show… Says her favorite professional sports teams are Sparta Prague and Arsenal… Her favorite sports figures are Manuel Neuer and Charles Leclerc… Chose UMass Lowell because it offers a good environment both academically and athletically. The soccer program was a strong fit, and the people, including the coaches, were welcoming and supportive.
NOVAK: "Lucie is joining us after playing at the renowned IMG Academy, as well as playing for the Czech youth national teams as a goalkeeper. Lucie has enough potential to develop into a contender in the America East conference, and we could see glimpses of it already when she joined us for the spring season."
Name: Anneliese Collin
Hometown/High School: Portland, Maine / Portland
Position: Forward
Height: 5-4
Club Team: Seacoast United - Epping, N.H.
Major/Minor: Nutritional Science
HIGH SCHOOL: Played soccer at Portland High School… named a captain junior and senior year… SMAA Girls Soccer All-Conference First Team (2023, 2024)... Southern Maine Class A Regional All-Star (2023, 2024)... selected for the 2023 Charles Bennet Memorial Award… selected for the Girls Academy Northeast Talent ID (2022, 2023)... SMAA Girl's Soccer All-Conference Team - Honorable Mention (2022)... Part of the National Honor Society and the student executive board.
PERSONAL: Daughter of Molly and Michael… Has one sibling (Meribel)… Names 911 as her favorite TV show… Says her favorite professional sports team is the Boston Bruins… Her favorite sports figure is Mallory Swanson… Chose UMass Lowell because of the environment that the school, coaches, and team created, because she knew it was something she wanted to be a part of.
NOVAK: "Anneliese is an athletic all-round player who can play in the front line or midfield. I hope Anneliese can turn her potential into productive performances over her college career and help us achieve our team goals."
Name: Kiera Fitzpatrick
Hometown/High School: Methuen, Mass. / Methuen
Position: Forward
Height: 5-4
Club Team: South Shore Select
Major/Minor: Environmental Science
HIGH SCHOOL: Four-year letterwinner at Methuen… named a captain senior year… All-State Eastern Mass First Team All-Star (2024)... MVC First Team (2024)... MVC First Team (2023)... MVC Soccer Champions (2022)... MVC Second Team (2022)... MVC Soccer Champions at Methuen (2021), the first in school history.
PERSONAL: Daughter of Sean and Trish… Has a twin, Kate, and another sibling, Mollie… Names Outer Banks and Dexter as her favorite TV shows… Says her favorite professional sports teams are the U.S. Women's National Team and Gotham FC… Her favorite sports figure is Rose Lavelle… Chose UMass Lowell because of the great science programs offered, and the team felt like a family.
NOVAK: "Kiera is a skillful player who can play anywhere on the field. Kiera has an ultimate gift of being able to take players on and unlock defenses, and I hope she can adjust to the college game early on in her first year."
Name: Anna Joseph
Hometown/High School: Sutton, Mass. / Sutton
Position: Defense
Height: 5-6
Club Team: FC Stars Lancaster
Major/Minor: Criminal Justice
HIGH SCHOOL: Played soccer at Sutton… named a captain junior and senior year… All-State Player (2021, 2023, 2024)... Central Mass All Star (2021-2024)... DVC All Star (2021-2024)... MIAA State Champions (2021-24)... CMASS Champions (2021-2024)... tallied 100 points during her senior year in 2024…Central Mass Player of the Year Nominee (2024)... Sutton High School Rookie of the Year (2021) … Academically Honor Roll (2021-2024)... Part of the National Honors Society and Student Council at Sutton… Member of the Student Athlete Leadership Team.
PERSONAL: Daughter of Jennifer and Anthony… Has five older siblings (Kyle, Leah, Emma, Alex and Sara)… Names New Girl and Ted Lasso as her favorite TV shows … Says her favorite professional sports teams are the Boston Bruins and the US Women's National Team… Her favorite sports figure is Kelly O'Hara … Chose UMass Lowell because she found the environment of the school very welcoming, and she really liked the soccer program and felt it was a good fit for her.
NOVAK: "Anna is a versatile defender who can play in any position across the Backline. We have high hopes for Anna as she gets her college career underway."
Name: Ava Kopicko
Hometown/High School: Nashua, N.H. / Nashua South
Position: Defense
Height: 5-10
Club Team: NEFC GA
Major/Minor: Business
HIGH SCHOOL: Four-year letterwinner at Nashua South… two-year captain… Nashua Telegraph All-Star (2021-24)... All-State… USYS Runner-up (2024)... NPL Semifinalists (2023)… NPL National Champions (2022).
PERSONAL: Daughter of Chris and Kim… Has three siblings (Ellie, Leo, and Max) … Names Stranger Things and Jessie as her favorite TV shows… Says her favorite professional sports teams are the Boston Celtics and Manchester United… Her favorite sports figures are Virgil van Dijk and Paige Bueckers… Chose UMass Lowell because of the variety of academic opportunities and the culture of the soccer team.
NOVAK: "Ava is a solid defender who is calm on the ball, and has a great range of passing. We are excited about her first year and look forward to how quickly she can adjust to the college game."
Name: Emma Theorén
Hometown/High School: Sollentuna, Vällingby / Stockholm Idrotts Gymnasium
Position: Midfield
Height: 5-5
Club Team: Sollentuna FK
Major/Minor: Business Administration and Management
HIGH SCHOOL: As a freshman, she took part in several camps with the national team for Sweden (2021) (G15-16)... made her debut with the Swedish national team (G17 & G18) in 2023... made her first appearance in the highest league in Sweden (2024) (OBOS Damallsvenskan)... part of the the Swedish F19 national team.
PERSONAL: Daughter of Jenny and Andreas… Has one sibling (Carl)… Names Grey's Anatomy as her favorite TV show… Says her favorite professional sports teams are AIK (Swedish team) and FC Barcelona… Her favorite sports figure is Lionel Messi… Chose UMass Lowell because of the community here and the high level of both academics and sports.
NOVAK: "Emma is an all-round player who will be able to contribute in multiple positions. We are excited about Emma's work rate, and how it can contribute to our team's performance early on."
