Belin Earns Preseason All-Conference Nod, River Hawks Picked Fourth in America East Preseason Poll
7/30/2026 12:00:00 PM | Women's Soccer
BOSTON – UMass Lowell women's soccer forward Nora Belin (Stockholm, Sweden) was named to the America East Preseason All-Conference Team ahead of the 2026 season, the league office announced Thursday. As a team, the River Hawks were picked to finish fourth in the conference's preseason coaches poll, as well.
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"I'm thrilled for Nora to receive this recognition," said Head Coach Mira Novak. "Following a great first season where she had some challenges early on, she's entering this season fully confident and ready to go. I hope she can hit the ground running right off the bat."
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UMass Lowell was picked fourth in the preseason poll for the fourth consecutive season. After finishing 6-5-6 overall and 3-2-3 in conference play last season, the River Hawks placed third in the America East behind Vermont and Binghamton.
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"I think the league will be really tight this year, and I look at the top five or six teams being able to finish anywhere," Novak said. "I fully expect to see a lot of one-goal games and a lot of ties. However, the preseason rankings are only preseason, and you have to earn everything on the field. That's what we're focused on, and we want to get better every day as we go through the preseason and non-conference portion of our schedule."
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Belin, who won America East Rookie of the Year last season, is the first River Hawk to earn a Preseason All-Conference selection since Calliste Brookshire in 2024. In 15 matches last season, she tied for the team lead with six goals.
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"The great thing about Nora is that she's a team player," Novak said. "I know teams focusing on her and giving her more attention will allow the rest of the team to thrive as well."
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The River Hawks kick off their season on the road against Providence. Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. on August 12.
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Preseason Poll
Place                    School                                  Points (First Place Votes)
1.              Maine                  60 (4)
2.                            Binghamton              58 (4)
3.              Vermont                 53 (1)
4.              UMass Lowell            40
5.              New Hampshire           35
6.              Bryant                  33
7.              NJIT                    20
8.              UMBC                  16
9.              UAlbany                 9
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"I'm thrilled for Nora to receive this recognition," said Head Coach Mira Novak. "Following a great first season where she had some challenges early on, she's entering this season fully confident and ready to go. I hope she can hit the ground running right off the bat."
Â
UMass Lowell was picked fourth in the preseason poll for the fourth consecutive season. After finishing 6-5-6 overall and 3-2-3 in conference play last season, the River Hawks placed third in the America East behind Vermont and Binghamton.
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"I think the league will be really tight this year, and I look at the top five or six teams being able to finish anywhere," Novak said. "I fully expect to see a lot of one-goal games and a lot of ties. However, the preseason rankings are only preseason, and you have to earn everything on the field. That's what we're focused on, and we want to get better every day as we go through the preseason and non-conference portion of our schedule."
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Belin, who won America East Rookie of the Year last season, is the first River Hawk to earn a Preseason All-Conference selection since Calliste Brookshire in 2024. In 15 matches last season, she tied for the team lead with six goals.
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"The great thing about Nora is that she's a team player," Novak said. "I know teams focusing on her and giving her more attention will allow the rest of the team to thrive as well."
Â
The River Hawks kick off their season on the road against Providence. Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. on August 12.
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Preseason Poll
Place                    School                                  Points (First Place Votes)
1.              Maine                  60 (4)
2.                            Binghamton              58 (4)
3.              Vermont                 53 (1)
4.              UMass Lowell            40
5.              New Hampshire           35
6.              Bryant                  33
7.              NJIT                    20
8.              UMBC                  16
9.              UAlbany                 9
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Players Mentioned
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