America East Preseason Preview
UMass Lowell’s men’s soccer program received a modest but encouraging preseason designation, landing sixth in the America East Coaches’ Poll for the upcoming campaign.
The poll reflects the continued dominance of Bryant, which captured the 2025 conference title with 47 points and six first‑place votes, while Vermont followed with 44 points and two top votes, and New Hampshire rounded out the top three with 34 points.
For the River Hawks, the sixth‑place finish marks a step up from recent years, a position that reflects both the program’s progress and the challenges that lie ahead under head coach Kyle Zenoni, who took the helm in February 2022.
The team’s 2024 season ended at 7‑7‑4, a record that included a semifinal appearance where they fell 4‑2 to Bryant, a loss that has fueled a focused offseason preparation.
The schedule opens on August 20 with a matchup against the University of the Incarnate Word, a non‑conference opponent that will serve as the first test of Zenoni’s revised tactics and roster depth.
With a blend of returning veterans and fresh talent, the River Hawks hope to translate the preseason optimism into a stronger conference run, aiming to challenge the traditional powerhouses and perhaps rewrite the narrative that has defined their recent history.