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Nov. 5, 2009
If recent history is any indicator, Thursday’s Northeast-10 Conference Women’s Soccer Tournament semifinal between No. 3 UMass Lowell and No. 2 Franklin Pierce has the makings of a classic. The River Hawks have come a long way in the all-time series, evidenced by the last four meetings over which UMass Lowell is 2-0-2. Franklin Pierce leads the all-time series 13-2-2, winning the first 13 matches before the River Hawks drew with the Ravens in the 2006 NCAA Tournament first round in Rindge. In fact, it wasn’t until that very year – in a 5-1 defeat in Rindge during the regular season – that UMass Lowell scored its first-ever goal against the Ravens. “Franklin Pierce has the best front two players in the Conference,” said head coach Elie Monteiro. “They attack extremely well. And we will have to be at our best. We will have to bring our ‘A’ game; it’s that simple. Playing them at their place is going to be tough because they are going to be heavily supported.” Where the Ravens have the top two scorers in the NE-10 in senior Gabriela Demoner (28 goals, seven assists) and junior Angelika Johansson (16 goals, three assists), UMass Lowell is one of the best defensive teams in the Conference. Behind the play of seniors Kathleen Strazzere (Wilmington, MA), Colleen Fitzpatrick (Tewksbury, MA) and Jenna McIntosh (Johnstown, NY), juniors Ella Merullo (Wakefield, MA) and Michelle LaMar (Billerica, MA) and senior goalkeeper Jamie Gillis (North Billerica, MA), the River Hawks rank only behind Saint Rose in goals against average (0.37), goals allowed (seven) and shutouts (13). UMass Lowell stunned Franklin Pierce, 3-1, in Lowell in the season opener on Sept. 1, behind two goals from junior Brianne Bozzella (Wilmington, MA) and one goal and one assist from freshman F Taylor Hartmann (Feeding Hills, MA). The River Hawks scored their first-ever win over the Ravens last season – 1-0 in Rindge, NH on a goal by freshman M Erin Fleury (Princeton, MA) four minutes into double overtime. The two wins followed a 1-1 deadlock during the 2007 regular season and a 1-1 draw in the 2006 NCAA Tournament first round, after which Franklin Pierce advanced on penalty kicks, 4-3. No. 1 Saint Rose (19-0) hosts No. 4 Merrimack (13-4-3) at 1:00 Thursday in the other semifinal. Winners from both matches will meet in the Championship Sunday at 1:00 at the higher seed. Admission for the match is $5 for adults; $3 for senior citizens, children ages 12 and under students with valid identification. |
