Women’s Soccer Travels to Dartmouth and Welcomes Merrimack This Week

LOWELL, Mass. – The UMass Lowell women's soccer team (0-1-1) hits the road to play Dartmouth (0-0-0) at 6 p.m. on Thursday, August 20 before returning home to square off against Merrimack (0-1-1). Kickoff for the home matchup against the Warriors is set for 6 p.m. at Cushing Field on Sunday, August 23.

New Beginnings
The River Hawks faced off against two tough opponents to start the season. At Providence, Rachel Welch (Franklin, Mass.) set a program record with 14 saves in a 1-1 draw. In Sunday's home opener, UMass Lowell fell to Metro Conference favorite Fairfield, 3-2, despite goals from Nina Hertz-Saebbö (Gothenburg, Sweden) and Marissa Sage (Milford, N.H.).

Opponent Observations
The Big Green open their season against the River Hawks after winning the Ivy League and competing in the NCAA Tournament last year. Dartmouth returns a lot of talent from last year's championship squad, led by reigning Ivy League Most Outstanding Player Stephanie Lathrop. Meanwhile, the Warriors started off the season with a 2-2 draw at Vermont before falling to Northeastern 2-0 at home.

Series History
Heading into this week's match, UMass Lowell is 1-6-1 all-time against Dartmouth. The last time the programs faced off was in 2024, when the River Hawks fell 2-1. UMass Lowell is set to play Merrimack for the fifth straight season and holds a 6-17-3 all-time record against the Warriors. The River Hawks are 1-1 against Merrimack at home since 2022.

Wonderful Welch
Through the first week of NCAA women's soccer matches, Welch leads the nation in total saves (21) and is third in saves per game (10.50). Her 14 saves against Providence alone would place her in a tie for eighth in the nation in total saves. Additionally, a spectacular double save against the Friars positioned Welch as one of 10 national finalists for the IWSOC Save of the Week.

Scoring Threat
Hertz-Saebbö has scored in each of the first two matches this season, becoming the first River Hawk to score in back-to-back matches to start a season since Calliste Brookshire in 2023. So far this season, Hertz-Saebbö is tied for the America East lead in both total goals and goals per match. She's ranked 19th in the nation in total goals, and 28th in goals per game.

Feeling Sage
With both a goal and an assist against Fairfield, Sage became the first River Hawk to do so since Gaby Eckroth (Mechanicsburg, Pa.) on Oct. 26, 2025 against UAlbany. The senior netted her third career goal to put UMass Lowell up 2-1 in the second half against the Stags.

Up Next
Admission to the Merrimack match at Cushing Field on Sunday, August 23, at 6 p.m. is free, courtesy of Eastern Salt and Mohoney Oil. The River Hawks are celebrating International Day at the match.

Women’s Soccer Travels to Dartmouth and Welcomes Merrimack This Week

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Players Mentioned

Calliste Brookshire

Gaby Eckroth

Marissa Sage

Rachel Welch

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