UMass forward Melissa Kössler shows game-changing potential

Melissa Kössler has hit the ground running at UMass. (Thom Kendall/UMass Athletics)

When asked about what type of impact freshman forward Melissa Kössler could have at UMass, head coach Jason Dowiak can’t help but get excited.

Added to the roster without much fanfare – at least from afar – the German U-20 international already has five goals and one assist for the Minutewomen (3-2-2). Her goals have all come in big-time games: a close loss at Boston College, a 2-1 win over Pittsburgh and a 3-3 draw last weekend with Tennessee.

UMass, in Dowiak’s second year at the helm, is not just hanging with ACC and SEC programs. They’re taking the game to these power-five schools, with Kössler impacting the offense in several ways.