LOWELL, MA (Oct. 17, 2007) – Ryan Richards, a sophomore goalkeeper from Holden, MA (Wachusett Regional H.S.), was named to the 2007 Northeast-10 Conference Men’s Soccer All-Academic Team, the Conference announced Wednesday.

A chemistry major, Richards has maintained a 3.92 cumulative average – earning Dean’s List honors both semesters – while backstopping the River Hawks to a 10-2-2 record (8-1-2 in the NE-10) this season.

After a splendid debut season in 2006, Richards is enjoying another stellar year and currently leads all NE-10 goalkeepers in goals against average, allowing 0.68 per match. Additionally, he is also among NE-10 leaders in save percentage (.780, 32/41) and fifth in shutouts (five).

The first sophomore captain in head coach Ted Priestly’s 11-year tenure, Richards tied the school record for shutouts in a season (nine) last year. This season, he has enjoyed shutout streaks of 440 and 320 minutes.

UML visits Stonehill Saturday at 11:00 and caps the regular season Wednesday at home against Southern New Hampshire.