Record-Breaking Offensive Night
The UMass Lowell women's soccer squad delivered a commanding 5-2 win over Merrimack College, tying the school's single‑match scoring record for the first time since a 5-1 victory over New Haven in September 2025. The performance marked a dramatic offensive outburst that left the River Hawks outshot 16-12 in favor of the visitors.
What made the night truly historic was the first occurrence in program history of three different players each recording both a goal and an assist. The synergy among the attackers turned what could have been a routine win into a showcase of balanced scoring.
Key Contributions
Marissa Sage opened the scoring with a laser shot that cleared the Merrimack goalkeeper in the first half and later added a late goal to complete her brace. Sophomore Nora Belin contributed a first‑half goal and handed out two assists while firing five shots on goal. Nina Hertz‑Saebbö, also a sophomore, struck her third goal of the season and set up the opening tally, and senior Luka Marceau chipped in a goal and an assist.
Between the posts, sophomore goaltender Lucie Chumanová made her season debut and logged four saves, providing a steady presence that kept the River Hawks in control despite Merrimack's efforts.
Men's Team Setback
The men's soccer side fell 1-0 to Houston Christian, with sophomore Alvaro Medrano turning in a full‑match performance that included five saves. Medrano was one of four River Hawks who played every minute, while juniors Saihaj Kailay, Jonah Straube and Sho Kinjo also logged 90 minutes. The outfield saw shots from Adam Abdelaal, Kanata Takahashi, Fredrik Moen, Alex Champagne and Juan‑Pablo Correa, but the offense could not find a breakthrough.
Head coach Kyle Zenoni praised the team's fight and highlighted areas for improvement, noting that while the loss was disappointing, the effort displayed by the players was encouraging and pointed toward growth in upcoming matches.