Women’s Soccer Season Preview

If there was any doubt that the success of the UMass Lowell women's soccer program was a mere flash in the pan, it was cast away with the 2006 season.

There was no question the 2005 season – which included the team’s first-ever NCAA Tournament bid – was its best season in school history.

But the 2006 season proved the River Hawks were not a fluke as they returned to the NCAAs and came within a penalty shootout of unseating Franklin Pierce, the NCAA New England champion since 1992, in the first round.

"I thought we went a long way toward establishing a style of play that suits us," said UML coach Elie Monteiro. "That is still a work in progress. As far as reaching our goal as staying in the top half of the league, that was certainly accomplished. And that is what we want to do this year."

After a pair of trying years in 2002 and 2003, UML has posted a collective record of 31-22-6 (.525) the last three seasons. Opponents can expect that trend to continue.

The River Hawks graduate quite a bit from the 2006 season – among them one of the best midfielders in the program history in Kristin Mahoney; defenders in Lisa Newton; and scorers in Tricia Auld and Jamie Lynn Cathcart – but have successfully reloaded over the last three years.

Best Offense is Defense

Monteiro would have liked to score more than 27 goals last season, but he won't complain. The River Hawks allowed only 17 goals, matching the school record for fewest from the 2005 season, and posted eight shutouts, one shy of the school record.

Spearheading the defense is sophomore goalkeeper Jamie Gillis, who shattered three school records in her collegiate debut: shutouts in a career and season (eight) and goals against average in a season (0.85).

"I think we do a very good job on not relying solely on the backs to do all the defending," said Monteiro. "I think we defended well as a unit from our forwards to our goalkeeper. That has been one of our strengths since I've been here."

Leading the backline for the third straight year is senior co-captain Katelyn Campopiano, who will team alongside sophomore Kathleen Strazzere, who will give opposing scorers fits with her speed.

Campopiano, a three-year starter, is also an option as a backup goalkeeper as she posted a 1.62 goals against average with four shutouts as a freshman. Strazzere, converted from forward, impressed in the spring with her pace in the back.

Also vying for a place in the back is juniorAmanda Goodwin, who was limited to eight matches (one start) due to an injury a year ago.

Likely to start in the back or in a defensive midfield role is senior transfer Jenna Tulley, a former teammate of Campopiano's at Chelmsford H.S., who enjoyed a three-year stay at Indiana-Purdue-Fort Wayne before coming to UML.

Tulley earned team most improved player honors and was cited to the United Soccer Conference All-Tournament Team in 2005 at IPFW. Previously, she was the conference player of the year and an Eastern Mass all-star at CHS.

Freshman Michelle LaMar, who redshirted the 2006 season, could receive immediate minutes in the back. LaMar was a three-time conference all-star at Billerica Memorial H.S.

Tipped for an immediate impact is freshman Ella Merullo, sister of senior midfielder Celia Merullo, who impressed in the preseason, as well as senior Margaret Gonsalves (Fall River, MA). The younger Merullo comes to UML following a honor-filled career at Wakefield H.S., where she was a four-time Middlesex League all-star.

Veteran Midfield

Following a season-ending injury early last season, Celia Merullo is fit again to patrol the middle. Arguably UML's most unsung player the last two years, Merullo was often called upon to defend the opposing playmakers, and will return to that very role in 2007.

Expected to return to the middle is junior Grace Larsen, who provides an effective presence offensively and defensively. With a cannon for a shot, Larsen will also be UML's top option on set plays.

Playing an attacking midfield role will be sophomore Kristina Cleverdon, who enjoyed a stellar freshman season, emerging as a starter in the second half of the season and chipping in three goals and one assist.

Similarly, sophomore Colleen Fitzpatrick will also be in an attacking role after showing moments of promise last year. Fitzpatrick chipped in a pair of goals and booked her place in the starting lineup midway through the season in 2006.

Senior Laura Donigian, who played in all 19 matches last year, is also slated for a key role in the midfield. Sophomore Elizabeth Garlo will redshirt the season due to an injury.

Freshmen Eileen Ryan and Alisha Silvestrone will look for regular places in the midfield. Ryan was a Cape Ann League all-star at Newburyport H.S. and led the Clippers to consecutive CAL championships in 2005 and 2006. Silvestrone was a four-year player and Dual County League all-star twice at Bedford H.S.

"We have a lot of returning players and that experience that they bring is going to be heavily relied upon," Monteiro said. "I think this is the biggest returning group we've had since I've been here."

Score, Score, Score

Five players had three or more goals for UML last season as the best of them – senior Tanekar Alexander – topped the list with seven and will be counted on for more of the same.

A member of Trinidad & Tobago's national team pool, Alexander improved as the year went on. She struck six times in UML's last 10 matches, including in the 1-1 deadlock at Franklin Pierce, in which the Ravens prevailed in the penalty shootout.

Alongside Alexander, Monteiro can tab junior Natalia Mendoza, who appeared in 14 matches last year, or sophomore Kelly Soper. Among Mendoza's highlights in 2006 was scoring the sole goal in UML's pivotal 1-0 triumph over Merrimack.

Freshman Alison Armstrong will bide for a place up front following a four-year career at Nipmuc Regional H.S. Armstrong was four-year starter and helped NRHS to league and the Massachusetts Division 2 state championship in 2005 and 2006.

Sophomore Christiana Rogers, who appeared in 10 matches last year (three starts) will redshirt the season due to an injury.

"We are going to try and change the formula and combinations of the front line just so we can compensate for losing the productivity we had the last three seasons, Monteiro noted. "We have the tools here to get that done. It's just a matter of working that out early in the season."