LOWELL, Mass. – The UMass Lowell women's soccer team (3-3-1) begins conference play this Sunday, September 21, hosting NJIT (5-2-2) at Cushing Field, starting at 3:00 p.m.
September 21 vs. NJIT
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Looking at UMass Lowell
UMass Lowell wrapped up their five-game homestand last Thursday against Stonehill, as the River Hawks performed well in a dominant 3-0 victory. Sophomore Rachel Welch (Franklin, Mass.) recorded five saves in net and her second shutout of the season. Senior Megan Banzi (Plymouth, Mass.) registered her first goal of the season, while freshman Nora Belin (Stockholm, Sweden) scored her first career goal in the contest. Freshman Anneliese Collin (Portland, Me.) also got on the board, adding her second tally of the season. Senior Maija Hodson (Sault Saint Marie, Ontario) and senior Nadja Andersen (Nakskov, Denmark) earned their first assists of the season, while sophomore Nuala Rodgers (Dedham, Mass.) recorded her second assist of the season as well.
The River Hawks ended the week matching up against New Haven in their final non-conference game on Sunday, securing a 5-1 victory. Sophomore Gaby Eckroth (Mechanicsburg, Pa.) and Belin each recorded two goals in the outing, earning new personal bests. Rodgers also scored, posting the first goal of her career. Freshman Kiera Fitzpatrick (Methuen, Mass.) and senior Kirti Craig (Spotswood, N.J.) each tallied the first assists of their careers, while freshman Lucie Chumanová (Prague, Czech Republic) started in net for the second time this season, registering one save.
Scouting the Highlanders
NJIT recently played North Texas last Saturday, as both sides fought to a 1-1 draw. Senior Kelsey Ramos was able to get on the board for the Highlanders, tallying a goal, while senior Mojisola Ayodele got the start in goal, collecting 12 saves in the outing. NJIT currently sits at a 5-2-2 record, with a 1-1-1 away record this season.
Senior Briana Andreoli currently leads the team in goals (4), points (11), and shots (14). Andreoli is tied with redshirt sophomore Kennedy Westbrook and senior Emily Jozak for the most assists on the team with three. Junior Merle Hueser has logged the most minutes so far with 810. In net, Ayodele has appeared in eight games, starting in three, making 29 saves for a .829 save percentage and a 4-2-1 record. Freshman Enya Carthy has also seen time in goal, playing in seven games with six starts, while making 17 saves for a .850 save percentage.
NJIT Matchup History
The River Hawks own a 6-1 record against the Highlanders all-time, with UMass Lowell coming out on top in the most recent matchup, 2-0, at NJIT on October 20, 2024. The River Hawks own a 4-0 record at home over the Highlanders, while also having a 4-0 conference record against NJIT.
America East Rookie of the Week
Belin was an offensive factor in last week's contests for the River Hawks, as the forward earned America East Rookie of the Week honors for her performance. The freshman totaled three goals for six points in two victories for the River Hawks, registering her first career goal on Thursday, and finishing the week with a two-goal performance.
Goals on Goals
The River Hawks recorded five goals in Sunday's match against New Haven, which is the most since 2022, scoring five times in a 5-0 win over Stonehill on September 1.
Two Players with Two Goals in the Same Match
Eckroth and Belin had quite the performances on Sunday at New Haven, as they both tallied two goals apiece. This was the first time in UMass Lowell Division I history that two different players scored two goals each in the same contest.
Leading the Flock
Senior Maddie Guthrie (Stow, Mass.) ranks first on the team in assists (3) after eight games, while leading the team in minutes played (623). Freshman Emma Theorén (Sollentuna, Vällingby) is tied for second on the team in assists (2) with Andersen and Rodgers. Banzi follows in second behind Guthrie for most minutes registered (591). Eckroth and Belin are tied for first on the team in goals (3) and points (6). Sophomore Nina Hertz-Saebbö (Gothenburg, Sweden) has tallied the most shots on the team with 18, as junior Marissa Sage (Milford, N.H.) ranks second with 16 total shots.
Between the Posts
Welch began the 2025 season in net for the River Hawks, starting in six matches. The Mass native has made 33 saves to earn a .767 save percentage in 540 minutes played, sitting at a 2-2-2 record on the season so far. Meanwhile, Chumanová has started in two games this season, making 10 saves to post a .667 save percentage while owning a 1-1 record.
Around the America East
Hertz-Saebbö is ranked ninth in the conference in shots (18) and shots per game (2.25).
Belin is currently sitting in fifth in goals (3) and goals per game (.500) in the America East, as Eckroth is right behind in sixth with three goals and a 0.600 goals per game average. Eckroth ranks fourth in the conference in points per game average with 1.20, while Belin sits in seventh at 1.00.
Guthrie still sits near the top of the conference in assists, currently ranking second with three total assists and 0.375 assists per game. Andersen ranks eighth in assists (2) and assists per game average (.286) in the America East, while Rodgers and Theorén round out the top ten, with two assists each.
In the goalkeeper rankings, Welch ranks first in saves per game with 5.50, while sitting in fifth for save percentage (.767), and second for both shutouts per game (.333) and shutouts (2) in the America East.
As a team, UMass Lowell currently leads the America East in shots (145), points (44), goals (15), assists (14), and saves (45) so far.
