Lowell: Soaring with Pride

Welcome to all incoming students to UMass Lowell. A school thriving with winning sports programs as of late. Norman, OK Athens, GA and Columbus, OH have nothing on the Mill City. After the success that many of the teams at UMass Lowell had last season there is much to look forward to this upcoming year.

UMass Lowell started off strong in the fall with winning season from several programs. Despite big changes in the coaching staff, the Men’s soccer team brought back several players from a team that went 7-0-1 in their final eight regular season games.

The team reached the East Region Championship game last season, losing to Dowling in 2OT. New head coach Bryan Scales looks to bring this team further into the postseason.

The women’s soccer team reached the conference semi-finals of the Northeast-10 tournament last year, and just missed out on a chance to play in the NCAA tournament. The team looks to improve upon their 8-5-5 record from last season, and be on the opposite end of the NCAA tournament selection. They have the ability to.

The UMass Lowell field hockey team also has high expectations, following a 2008 season which saw them in the Division II Championship. Winning and success has not been an uncommon situation for the UMass Lowell field hockey team.

After a 20-5 season and their fourth championship game in six seasons, including one Championship, Head Coach Shannon Hlebichuk and several returning players look to make it five championship game, and yet another title.

With a 15-17 record last season the volleyball team reached the Northeast-10 tournament, but lost to Merrimack 3-0 in the first round. The team is losing one senior, and looks to use that veteran experience to a championship season.

Over at the Tsongas the hockey team will look to continue the success they had last year. The River Hawks reached the Hockey East Championship game for only the second time losing to eventual National Champion Boston University 1-0 on a controversial call.

With the team losing just three seniors the River Hawks return many big name players including their top seven scorers last season. That with the top goaltenders Carter Hutton and Nevin Hamilton UMass Lowell is a team that is going to be considered a team to look out for this upcoming season.

In the winter the Men’s Basketball team started last season off with a bang, playing an exhibition game at eventual Final Four team UConn. Although the River Hawks would be defeated they went on to finish the regular season with a 21-8 record, including a 13 game winning streak. The team would reach the NCAA tournament losing to Merrimack. With a lot of young talent, this team appears to be going nowhere but up.

The stretch of playoff runs continued in the spring as the baseball team reached the Northeast-10 playoffs after a 25-21 record. The team looks to use leadership and veteran talent in the upcoming spring.

The upcoming year has lots of potential for UMass Lowell athletic programs. If the teams can reach the success that they found last year or higher, this will be the best school to see in sports. What makes it even better is that Lowell does not need blue turf or an acorn for a mascot to be successful in sports.