Sundberg, Belin Earn America East Weekly Awards
10/19/2026 11:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
LOWELL, Mass. – Following a dominant 2-0 win over UMBC, freshman Märta Sundberg (Stockholm, Sweden) and sophomore Nora Belin (Stockholm, Sweden) of the UMass Lowell women's soccer team (4-5-4, 1-1-3 AE) nabbed America East weekly accolades.
Â
Sundberg was named Defensive Player of the Week, while Belin earned Co-Offensive Player of the Week honors. It's the first time a UMass Lowell player has won Defensive Player of the Week since Taylor Burgess did in October 2024, and Belin snags her offensive award nearly a year after junior Gaby Eckroth (Mechanicsburg, Pa.) won it in October 2025.
Â
"I'm pleased for both of our award winners this week," said Head Coach Mira Novak. "They capitalized on great teamwork from all of their teammates."
Â
Anchoring the back line, Sundberg continued a consistent freshman campaign by helping the River Hawks earn their fourth shutout of the season. She played 87 minutes against the Retrievers, holding a strong UMBC offense to five shots on goal.
Â
On the season, Sundberg leads all River Hawks in minutes played with 1028. She's made 12 starts in 13 matches, appearing in every one.
Â
"Märta has been solid the whole season, and I'm really happy she's getting recognized for her efforts," Novak said. "She was fearless in her one-on-one battles and won a lot of them. She brought calm into our buildup, finding players past UMBC's pressure."
Â
Belin scores her award after finding the back of the net twice against the Retrievers, heading in a first-half goal before putting the match away with a second-half strike. She set the team's season high with six shots on Sunday, applying pressure throughout the contest.
Â
While she scored six goals to tie for the team lead last season, Belin has reinvented herself this season. The forward has six assists this season, second in America East. After Sunday's match, she brought her goal tally to three.
Â
"Nora was on fire yesterday," Novak said. "Despite scoring two goals, she was really good on the other end of the field as well, winning headers and helping defensively. I'm really happy she found the net twice, and it's great to see she's becoming a threat in the air too."
Â
Sundberg, Belin and the River Hawks take the pitch again on Thursday, October 22 at 6 p.m. against New Hampshire. Attendance to the match at Cushing Field, and all UMass Lowell soccer matches, is free courtesy of Eastern Salt and Mahoney Oil.
Â
Â
Sundberg was named Defensive Player of the Week, while Belin earned Co-Offensive Player of the Week honors. It's the first time a UMass Lowell player has won Defensive Player of the Week since Taylor Burgess did in October 2024, and Belin snags her offensive award nearly a year after junior Gaby Eckroth (Mechanicsburg, Pa.) won it in October 2025.
Â
"I'm pleased for both of our award winners this week," said Head Coach Mira Novak. "They capitalized on great teamwork from all of their teammates."
Â
Anchoring the back line, Sundberg continued a consistent freshman campaign by helping the River Hawks earn their fourth shutout of the season. She played 87 minutes against the Retrievers, holding a strong UMBC offense to five shots on goal.
Â
On the season, Sundberg leads all River Hawks in minutes played with 1028. She's made 12 starts in 13 matches, appearing in every one.
Â
"Märta has been solid the whole season, and I'm really happy she's getting recognized for her efforts," Novak said. "She was fearless in her one-on-one battles and won a lot of them. She brought calm into our buildup, finding players past UMBC's pressure."
Â
Belin scores her award after finding the back of the net twice against the Retrievers, heading in a first-half goal before putting the match away with a second-half strike. She set the team's season high with six shots on Sunday, applying pressure throughout the contest.
Â
While she scored six goals to tie for the team lead last season, Belin has reinvented herself this season. The forward has six assists this season, second in America East. After Sunday's match, she brought her goal tally to three.
Â
"Nora was on fire yesterday," Novak said. "Despite scoring two goals, she was really good on the other end of the field as well, winning headers and helping defensively. I'm really happy she found the net twice, and it's great to see she's becoming a threat in the air too."
Â
Sundberg, Belin and the River Hawks take the pitch again on Thursday, October 22 at 6 p.m. against New Hampshire. Attendance to the match at Cushing Field, and all UMass Lowell soccer matches, is free courtesy of Eastern Salt and Mahoney Oil.
Â
Players Mentioned
Sunday, September 13
Sunday, September 13
Monday, August 24
Monday, August 24
