LOWELL, MA (Nov. 5, 2007) – UMass Lowell was named the No. 5 seed and will face No. 4 Merrimack Friday in the NCAA Division II Women’s Soccer Tournament in Albany, NY, the NCAA announced Monday afternoon.

The College of Saint Rose (18-0-2) earned the No. 1 seed and will host the UML-Merrimack winner on Sunday. Bryant University (17-1-5) earned the No. 2 seed and hosts the winner between No. 3 Franklin Pierce (13-1-5) and meets Holy Family University (14-7-0).

The River Hawks (11-8-1) and Merrimack will play the match at the Albany Academy for Girls in Albany, NY, Saint Rose’s home pitch. Franklin Pierce and Holy Family meet Friday in Smithfield, RI. All match times have yet to be determined.

“We are absolutely thrilled to get into the NCAA Tournament three years running,” said UML head coach Elie Monteiro, in his sixth year. “Our focus this season was to just stay in the moment, to take care of one challenge at a time. To have this be the end result is very gratifying.”

UML earned the bid on account of its strength of schedule, which included a 6-1 victory over No. 6 seed Holy Family on Aug. 25. The River Hawks finished the regular season ranked No. 5 in the NCAA New England Region Poll, largely behind its overall record, which came against all regional opponents.

The River Hawks have a 1-3-1 record against their Tournament counterparts, defeating Holy Family; drawing at home with Franklin Pierce (0-0, 2 OT) and falling to Merrimack (1-3), Bryant (0-1 and 0-2) and Saint Rose (0-4).

Along with the win over Holy Family and draw with Franklin Pierce, UML also defeated Assumption (1-0), Bentley (2-1) and Southern Connecticut (1-0), all on the road, as well as Saint Michael’s at home (1-0), to strengthen its regional standing.

“The month of October was very positive for us,” Monteiro said. “The wins at Bentley, Assumption and Southern Connecticut, and especially at home against Saint Michael’s, were quality wins.”

UML earned its first-ever NCAA Tournament invitation in 2005 when, as the No. 3 seed, it suffered a 1-0 loss to No. 2 Assumption. Last year, the River Hawks drew 1-1 with Franklin Pierce before falling on penalty kicks 5-3.