LOWELL, MA (Nov. 4, 2007) – Senior midfielder Edens Chery (Brockton, MA) joined two teammates on the First Team as the Northeast-10 Conference Men’s Soccer All-Star Teams were announced Sunday night.

Head Coach Ted Priestly, in his 11th season, was named the Co-Coach of the Year, sharing the honor with Franklin Pierce coach Marco Koolman.

Chery was one of six players named to the teams and joined junior forward Matt Dubois (Dracut, MA) and junior midfielder Matias Pietropinto (Leominster, MA) on the First Team.

Sophomore defender Rudy Kocandrle (Northboro, MA) and sophomore goalkeeper Ryan Richards (Holden, MA) were each cited to the Second Team while junior defender Joey Esteves (Fall River, MA) earned Third Team honors.

“These players have all shown that the commitment to our team-first philosophy has produced both individual and team success,” said Priestly. “They have all had special seasons, and are all deserving of these accolades.”

To date, Priestly has compiled a 118-71-23 record over 11 seasons (.557). Minus his first two seasons in which UML finished a combined 12-26-1, he has led the River Hawks to a 106-45-22 clip (.613). The honor marks the first time he has been voted the NE-10 Coach of the Year.

“The Coach of the Year award is a reflection of the collective effort of 23 committed players, three outstanding assistant coaches in Marc Connolly, Brackie Reyes and Christian Figueroa, an exceptional athletic trainer (Chris Foye) and the best facility in the Northeast-10 Conference, designed and directed by Jean Robinson,” Priestly noted. “I’m grateful for this award, but I accept it on their behalf.”

The River Hawks are currently 12-3-3 overall and capped the NE-10 regular season in second place with a 10-2-1 clip. UML is awaiting NCAA Tournament pairings, to be announced Monday afternoon on www.ncaasports.com.

UML enters the NCAAs among the most attacking teams in the NE-10 with an average of 2.44 goals per match, in large part to Chery, Dubois and Pietropinto who combined for half of UML’s 44 goals.

Chery has accounted for six goals and five assists this season and enjoys his second straight year on the all-conference teams. Last year he was cited to the Second Team

Dubois, who transferred to UML following two years at Merrimack, has had an immediate impact this season with a team-high 12 goals and one assist, ranking fourth among NE-10 scoring leaders. He also leads the Conference in game-winning goals with a school-record seven.

Many of Dubois’ goals have come from Pietropinto, who leads the NE-10 with 12 assists this season and also ranks fifth nationally. The 2005 NE-10 Freshman of the Year, Pietropinto recently tied the UML record for assists in a season.

Richards, Kocandrle and Esteves have combined to form the best defense in the NE-10, allowing a paltry 12 goals for an average of 0.64 per match.

Richards has allowed just 0.69 goals per match – on track to shatter the school record – and compiled six shutouts this season, to rank second and fourth, respectively, among NE-10 leaders. In 18 appearances (1,557 minutes), he has halted 42 of 54 shots on target (.778).

Kocandrle and Esteves have each added some offense as well. Kocandrle scored the lone goal in UML’s pivotal 1-0 victory at Southern Connecticut during the regular season. Esteves has scored three goals and set up three others this season.

“Several of these players have set record,” said Priestly. “But in spite of their impressive statistics, they would all agree that the most important statistic category this season has been wins.

“We are looking forward to the NCAA Tournament, because we truly feel that our best soccer is ahead of us,” he added.