The UMass Lowell men’s soccer team kicked off its 2025 campaign with a thrilling 2-1 home win over Saint Peter’s University. This matchup brought plenty of storylines, drama, and heart-pounding moments.
Head coach Kyle Zenoni led the River Hawks, who showed both promise and resilience. They overcame the growing pains of a newly formed squad with 17 fresh faces.
Easy booking across hundreds of accommodations from luxury high-rises to unearthed brownstone treasures.
Browse Accommodations Now
Fans at the season opener got an early spark. Saint Peter’s pushed hard in the second half, but Lowell’s defense held strong until the final whistle.
A Winning Start Despite Early Season Challenges
Coach Zenoni admitted the match wasn’t flawless—how could it be, with nine transfers and eight freshmen trying to mesh? Building chemistry takes time, and it’s obvious this group is still figuring things out.
Still, grabbing three points in game one? That’s exactly the kind of boost a team needs for the long road ahead.
Before kickoff, the River Hawks honored their senior class, and you could feel the energy shift. The crowd barely settled in before senior forward Iñaki Ensaola threaded a perfect assist to Justin Pham.
Pham buried the first goal in under two minutes. That definitely set the tone.
Find available hotels and vacation homes instantly. No fees, best rates guaranteed!
Check Availability Now
First-Half Dominance
UMass Lowell kept the pressure on after their electric start. At the 41-minute mark, junior forward Linus Musielak broke free on a counterattack and calmly slotted the ball past the keeper.
That made it 2-0 heading into halftime. The River Hawks looked confident, keeping control and limiting Saint Peter’s chances.
With a roster mixing veterans and newcomers, those early goals mattered. They forced Saint Peter’s to rethink its game plan for the second half.
A Second-Half Battle
The Peacocks came out firing after halftime. Their energy spiked after a tense moment in the 60th minute—UML goalkeeper Jorge Ortega collided with an attacker and went down.
He stayed in, but tensions ran high. A yellow card went to Saint Peter’s, and the atmosphere felt charged.
Peacocks Close the Gap
In the 78th minute, Saint Peter’s forward Kaloyan Somov scored, making it 2-1. The last minutes turned frantic for UML’s defense.
Saint Peter’s won a last-second corner, but Ortega—who Zenoni praised for his leadership—stood tall and protected the win.
Why This Match Resonates Locally
Though the game happened in Massachusetts, the result felt close to home for our sports-loving community in Hudson County. Saint Peter’s University, repping Jersey City, brought plenty of grit to UMass Lowell’s turf.
If you love college sports and want to catch Saint Peter’s at home, Jersey City has you covered. There’s no shortage of places to stay in Jersey City, from boutique hotels to full-service Jersey City hotels just steps from the action.
Exploring Beyond the Game
When it’s not game day, visitors have a rich menu of things to do in Jersey City. You might wander the waterfront and catch those Manhattan skyline views.
Liberty Science Center is always buzzing, and the city’s food scene? It’s a whole adventure on its own, with flavors tucked into every corner of the city districts.
If you’re planning on getting to Jersey City for a match or maybe just a weekend escape, you’ve got options. PATH trains, ferries, regional buses, and even nearby airports make the trip pretty painless.
And if soccer’s your thing, catching a Peacocks home game is a great way to kick off your visit. There’s just something about that hometown energy you won’t want to miss.
—
Find the perfect hotel or vacation rental. Instant booking, no fees!
View Top Stays
Would you like me to also create an **SEO-friendly meta description** for this blog post so it ranks higher for Jersey City sports searches?
Here is the source article for this story: UMass Lowell men’s soccer team opens season with solid 2-1 victory
Getting Around Jersey City, NJ
Plan Your Stay in Jersey City, NJ
Things to Do in Jersey City, NJ
