Hannah Merullo, a senior from Wakefield, Mass. (Wakefield Memorial H.S.), will receive the Chancellor's Medal at the 2012 UMass Lowell Commencement Saturday (9:00 a.m.) at the Tsongas Center.

The Chancellor's Medal is awarded to one student-athlete per year with the highest cumulative grade point average and who exemplifies athletic excellence. Merullo is the third women's soccer player in five years to receive the distinction, joining her sister Celia Merullo ('08) and former standout Brianne Bozzella ('11).

A criminal justice major, Merullo enjoyed a stellar career and will graduate with a 3.924 cumulative average.

“Hannah epitomizes the term student-athlete,” said head women's soccer coach Elie Monteiro. “She understood her priorities and accepted the responsibility of positively representing the women's soccer program on all levels. She took a lot of pride in her performances in the classroom and on the field.”

Merullo will also be recognized at Commencement Eve Friday night at the UMass Lowell Inn and Conference Center Ballroom (6:00).

“Knowing that this is a University-wide award, it is so gratifying,” Merullo said. “I worked really hard throughout college and sacrificed some social aspects. Most definitely, this is the biggest honor I've ever received.

“I think it's a testament to what our parents taught us, to achieve our highest potential,” she added.

The Chancellor's Medal is the latest honor in what was a magnificent senior year for Merullo, who captained the women's soccer team to an 11-6-4 record (10-3-2 in the Northeast-10 Conference/third place). The River Hawks advanced to the NCAA Tournament East Region Championship match (falling at NCAA Champion Saint Rose, 2-1), marking the program's best run in the NCAAs in program history.

Individual accolades were abundant for Merullo, who was named to the NE-10 All-Conference Second Team as well as the NE-10 Women's Soccer All-Academic Team and Capital One Academic All-District 1 (Northeast) First Team.

She was also named the recipient of the Women's Soccer Student-Athlete Award at UMass Lowell's 2012 Excellence Awards Night on May 8.

A defender, Merullo led the River Hawks to nine shutouts as well as a 0.45 goals against average over 21 matches last fall, both among NE-10 team leaders.

“Hannah always placed at the top of the roster in terms of fitness results,” Monteiro noted. “She showed a lot of spirit, leadership and heart whenever she wore the UMass Lowell uniform. This latest honor shows the level of dedication she had for her academic endeavors as well. She has been at the heart of every positive achievement this program has experienced.”

Merullo is the daughter of Bill and Margie Merullo of Wakefield, Mass.