Men's Soccer Blanked By UMass Boston, 4-0

Worcester, MA --- UMass Boston scored four first half goals to thwart Worcester State, 4-0, this evening in non-conference men's soccer action at Coughlin Field.

The Beacons improve to 11-4-1 on the season while the Lancers fall to 5-8-2.

UMass Boston used a balanced attack that saw four different players tally goals against the Blue and Gold.

The offensive began in the fourth minute when junior Elton Teixeira (Boston, MA/Burke) flicked a cross from the left side by sophomore Miguel Alcantar (San Diego, CA) past the goalie just inside the right post for his seventh tally of the season.

In the 17th minute junior Jazz Reis (E. Freetown, MA) had a key team save for the Blue and Gold. Following a cross into the box, Alcantar found space and fired a shot toward the left post, however, Reis was there to turn the bid away and keep the deficit 1-0.

The Beacons though controlled the pace of play for much of the contest and continued to apply offensive pressure deep in the Lancers defensive zone. UMass Boston struck for a pair of goals in a minute span that broke the game open midway through the first half.

Freshman Marcelo Cunha (Goiania Goias, Brazil) added to the score in the 21st minute when he blasted a free kick from 25 yards out to the top left corner of the net that was just out of the reach of Lancer junior goalkeeper Tim Schmidt (Southwick, MA) for his first collegiate tally.

Moments later junior Luis Mattos (Sete Lagoas, Brazil) connected on his fourth goal of the campaign at the 21:36 mark when he intercepted a Lancer pass and lofted a perfectly placed shot to the top left corner that put the visiting Beacons on top 3-0.

The Beacons finished off the scoring with just 39 seconds remaining in the half when senior Douglas Silveira (Revere, MA) lifted a shot outside the box from the left side that squeezed just inside the left post. It was his fourth goal of the season.

The Lancers best chance of the night came in the 50th minute when freshman Joshua Evans (Springfield, MA/Sabis) sent a cross on a corner kick that sailed inches away from the foot of Reis who was waiting by the far post for the delivery.

The Beacons best second half opportunity came in the 52nd minute when Teixeira released a shot from the right side that freshman backup goalie Jason Barrett (Spencer, MA), who replaced Schmidt following halftime, saved to keep the score where it was.

The Beacons had the clear advantage in shots, 20-3, and shots on goal, 10-0. They also held a decisive edge in corner kicks, 7-1.

Juniors Alfonso Rosales (Revere, MA) and Estive Sosa (Chelsea, MA) combined for the shutout as neither were called upon to make a save. Schmidt and Barrett collectively stopped five shots in the defeat.

Both squads return to conference play over the weekend in a pair of 1 PM road contests. The Lancers travel to MASCAC rival Westfield State on Saturday while the Beacons head North to take on Plymouth State on Sunday.