Sorenson nets UML position

LOWELL >> Former Holy Cross coach Eric Sorenson has joined the Umass Lowell hockey staff as an assistant.

The 33-year-old native of Fairport, N.Y., a record-setting goaltender during his Western New England playing days, will work with UML’S goaltenders and assist in recruiting efforts.

“I think he’ll be a great addition to the staff,” UML head coach Norm Bazin said.

Sorenson spent the previous two seasons at Holy Cross, where he worked under former UML skater Bill Riga. Sorenson’s duties in Worcester included working with the goalies, the defense, the team’s penalty kill and recruiting.

Sorenson is excited to replace Taylor Nelson, who landed a job at Augustana, on Bazin’s staff.

“I know they’ve won three Hockey East championships,” said Sorenson, well aware of how tough Hockey East is. “It’s really impressive. I’m aware of the history of the players that have come through here. I’m hoping that I can help build the program.”

UML has long enjoyed a history of producing top-flight goaltenders like Dwayne Roloson, Carter Hutton, Scott Fankhouser, Connor Hellebuyck, Kevin Boyle, Tyler Wall, Owen Savory and last year’s top netminder, Gustavs Davis Grigals.

The River Hawks figure to be strong again between the pipes this season with senior Henry Welsch and junior Luke Pavicich, a transfer from Umass.

“It’s like Goalie U,” Sorenson said with a laugh inside the Tsongas Center on Monday, his first official day on the job. “It’s an incredible level of success. You certainly have respect for it. Obviously you have to continue to work and live up to the standard.”

Holy Cross made a terrific Atlantic Hockey tournament run this past season. The Crusaders

first upset perennial league champion AIC in the quarterfinal round, winning the best-of-three series in three

games in Springfield.

Holy Cross hit the road again, defeating RIT in three games in the semifinals to advance to the title game. With an NCAA Tournament bid hanging in the balance, Holy Cross fell 3-0 to Canisius.

“It was a great experience,” Sorenson said of the playoff run.

Prior to joining Riga’s staff at Holy Cross, Sorenson served as the first men’s hockey head coach of Rivier University in Nashua, N.H. He was a two-year assistant

coach at Williams College (2018-20) after serving as an assistant coach/goaltending coach at Nazareth College and the Rochester Jr. Americans.

A goaltender, he attended Western New England (2010-14) and left as the program’s

record holder in career wins, saves and shutouts.

Umass Lowell’s incoming freshman class will arrive on campus in less than a month. Check out Sunday’s Sun to meet the eight-person class.