(December 27, 2007) - When Elie Monteiro caught up with Katelyn Campopiano after her final game suiting up for the University of Massachusetts at Lowell women's soccer team, he was expecting a smile or a laugh.

Instead, there were tears, emotion, and a higher level of respect for his four-year starter.

"I said, 'Aren't you glad you don't have to hear my voice anymore?' and I was expecting her to laugh or smile at me," said Monteiro, the six-year head coach of the River Hawks. "She became very emotional and right there it showed me how much she cared about her teammates and this program and what it meant to her."

A stellar defender who started her college career in goal, Campopiano powered UMass-Lowell to its third straight NCAA Division 2 tournament appearance this past season.

The River Hawks were eliminated in a 1-0 first-round loss to Merrimack, but there was no denying Campopiano's impact on the success of the program this fall, in particular, but also, over the past four years.

A year ago, the Chelmsford High product spearheaded a defense that registered a school-record nine shutouts and allowed just 17 total goals. The River Hawks matched the shutout mark this fall.

At season's end, Campopiano was an All-New England first-team selection. Sophomore goalie Jaime Gillis of North Billerica was a second-team pick while senior forward Jenna Tulley, who is also Campopiano's cousin, earned third-team honors after leading the team with seven goals.

"I remember playing against Jamie when we were in high school," said Campopiano.

"We had some good rivalries and it was so awesome to play with her the last two years. Being a commuter, you play with a lot of girls who's names you'd heard before they join the team. Some of them, you play against for a few years. But it gets fun when you're on the same team together."

Gillis was solid in net. She played every minute of every game this season, logging 1,910 minutes, allowing 1.04 goals against, and stopping 97 of 119 shots (.815 percent). The duo's defense ranked fifth in the Northeast-10 conference in goals against (1.04 per match), goals allowed (1.05), and shutouts (nine).

The River Hawks finished with an 11-9-1 record overall, seventh in the Northeast-10 standings with a 6-8-1 conference record. Alongside her All-New England honor, Campopiano was named to the all-conference team.

"I had no idea," said Campopiano of her awards. "I just got an e-mail from my coach saying that I'd been selected. I thought the voting was done and people had already been named so it was a really nice surprise when I heard about it."

Though this marks her final season on the River Hawks' roster, it won't be the last time the senior captain sets foot on the UMass-Lowell soccer pitch.

Studying psychology and developmental disabilities as an undergraduate student, Campopiano will return to the campus to earn a graduate degree in education.

As far as heading to the games, she joked that playing in games would be missed but not practicing and conditioning before them.

Monteiro, meanwhile, had different thoughts about seeing one of his stars in the stands next year.

"It's weird when one of the players who's been so involved with the success of this team the last four years will be watching us as a fan next year. It seems like last year we were recruiting her as a high school senior," said Monteiro.

"She's honestly gotten better each year and deserves any accolades she receives. She wasn't a flashy player, not the biggest or most athletic back there but when the defense didn't skip a beat for four years, you know she's the reason and she'll be tough to replace."

By Sapna Pathak, Globe Correspondent