Sept. 1, 2010

Within the UMass Lowell women’s soccer program, there is a sense of focus, purpose and resolve – typical for this time of year. On the outside, there is some curiosity and maybe even a slight drop of expectation.

It’s understandable. The team graduated perhaps the best goalkeeper in the country, the majority of its best defense and one of its top scorers.

In the program’s 15 seasons, UMass Lowell never relinquished fewer goals or scored more over the last four years, over which it posted a 41-24-14 record and advanced to the NCAA Tournament three times.

UMass Lowell opens the season at the American International College Tournament Thursday, Sept. 4 against C.W. Post (7:30) and Saturday against Bridgeport (7:30). The River Hawks play one home match (against two-time NCAA semifinalist Saint Rose) in their first six dates.

Translated, they will be tested immediately.

Despite UMass Lowell’s substantial graduation losses, the River Hawks were tabbed to finish third in the Northeast-10 Conference Preseason Coaches Poll, indicative of the amount of respect the program has earned over recent years.

They will miss the goalkeeping of Jamie Gillis, a first team All-American last season who played every minute of every match in four years. Gillis had a stellar wall in front of her in All-American Kathleen Strazzere as well as Colleen Fitzpatrick and Jenna McIntosh.

Up front, Kelly Soper compiled 11 goals and nine assists over the last three seasons, including four and four last season.

But make no mistake: The River Hawks expect to be very good this year.

“We graduated a very influential class,” said Head Coach Elie Monteiro, who is entering his ninth season. “Every one of those players in that class played a major part in moving the program forward. They left a legacy that will be hard to follow. They also left a blue print that can be copied with hard work and effort which is what our current group of players will try to emulate.”

UMass Lowell has strength and experience on all three lines, particularly up front where sophomore Taylor Hartmann (Feeding Hills, Mass.) and senior Brianne Bozzella (Wilmington, Mass.) should resume where they left off.

Hartmann, named to the 2009 NE-10 All-Rookie Team, compiled seven goals and two assists while Bozzella added six goals and four assists.

There is plenty in reserve in sophomores Jenna Costa (Attleboro, Mass.), who registered one goal and two assists in 21 appearances last year; and Keanna Santos (Lakeville, Mass.), who saw action in only 11 games due to an injury.

Monteiro can also tab sophomores Julia Donigian (Wakefield, Mass.), who played in 11 matches, and Colleen Soper (Auburn, Mass.), who made three appearances.

New to the team – but not the University – is junior Stephanie Rollo (Dracut, Mass.), who played shortstop for the softball team her first two years, but also had a stellar soccer career at Dracut H.S. where she was a two-time Merrimack Valley Conference all-star and four-year starter.

“Some of our younger players are excited to be showing what they learned from last season, especially upfront where we're more athletic,” said Monteiro.

In the midfield, junior Maddy Bissaillon (Merrimac, Mass.) and senior Ella Merullo (Wakefield, Mass.), both All-Conference standouts in 2009, bring a wealth of experience and leadership following magnificent seasons. Bissaillon chipped in a pair of goals and set up six others (a team high).

With three goals and four assists, Merullo expertly controlled the left side offensively and defensively. Perhaps the most unsung player on the team, junior Erin Fleury (Princeton, Mass.), is expected to return to a defensive midfield role, in which she flourished in 2009.

Filling the vacated spot could be a number of players, notably sophomore Gia O’Connor (Dracut, Mass.), who comes into the season with plenty of drive after playing in only 11 matches due to injury. Additionally, junior Jackie Zani (Salem, N.H.), who made 11 appearances last year, could also win a place in the midfield.

Junior Kaitlyn Hurd (North Attleboro, Mass.) (five matches in 2009) and sophomore Charlotte Jensen (Wilmington, Mass.) (six matches) will battle for minutes.

Sophomore newcomer Amy Cramer (Marlboro, Mass.) will look to have an immediate impact in the middle after playing last season at Dean College where she was a junior college All-American. Previously, she was a five-time all-conference standout (she was a starter in the eighth grade), three-time all-state and two-time conference most valuable player at Marlboro H.S.

Freshman Sara Sequeira (Lowell, Mass.) could also figure in after an all-conference career at Greater Lowell Tech, which saw her earn Commonwealth Confrence MVP honors as a senior; while freshman Sarah Raye (Salem, N.H.) comes to Lowell after a three-year all-state career at Salem H.S.

“We've gained more ability in the midfield, which will help us continue to improve our possession game,” Monteiro noted. ”That is key to how we want to play.”

Unquestionably, defense is where the River Hawks feel a sense of urgency, but with senior NE-10 all-star Michelle LaMar (Billerica, Mass.), expected to start her fourth year, UMass Lowell can still rank among the top teams in the NE-10.

LaMar, along with Gillis, Strazzere, Fitzpatrick and McIntosh, helped lead the River Hawks to several school records, among them shutouts (14) and fewest goals conceded in a season.

In fact, the aforementioned were instrumental in Gillis establishing the NCAA Division II record of consecutive shutout minutes (1,333), a stretch which lasted more than six weeks.

“Our major challenge will be to replace the three out of our back four in addition to Jamie,” said Monteiro. “I really believe that we have the players with the talent here who can do it. Those who are competing for those spots are relishing the prospect of sliding into those roles. That competition is creating a buzz in practice and will make us stronger.”

LaMar will have several familiar faces around her, including junior Hannah Merullo (Wakefield, Mass.), who started a good portion of her 20 appearances last season; and sophomore Casey Schulze (Chelmsford, Mass.), who played in 12 games.

Freshman Margaret McSpiritt (Londonderry, N.H.) could also figure in after a stellar career at Londonderry H.S. where she was a four-year player and all-state standout. Monteiro can also look to Kate Masson (Merrimack, N.H.), who was an all-state standout who led Merrimack H.S. to the state championship round and a school-record 18 wins.

Between the woodwork, there are big boots to fill, but Monteiro has confidence in a pair of newcomers – freshmen Jill Carlson (Lexington, Mass.) and Micaela Butlin (Milton, Mass.), who have the size – 5-foot-7 and 5-9, respectively – and the athleticism.

A four-year starter at Lexington H.S., Carlson was the Middlesex League Goalkeeper of the Year and an Eastern Mass. all-star while Butlin was a first team All-Bay State League standout at Milton H.S.