Box Score
BOSTON, MASS.—UMass Boston women's soccer broke out of their scoring slump in a huge way Saturday afternoon, as three different players scored in the second-half, to lead the Beacons to a win in the Little East Conference and home opener.
THE BASICS
UMass Boston 3, Rhode Island College 0
(UMass Boston 2-3-1, Little East 1-0-0)
(Rhode Island College 1-5-0, Little East 0-1-0)
HOW IT HAPPENED
Freshman Jaclyn O'Grady (Somers, Conn.) and senior Natasha Stibor (San Francisco, Calif.) scored 55 seconds apart to begin the second half, to snap a 342:53 scoreless streak and send the Beacons on their way to their first win since Opening Day.
Freshman Julia Masionis (Milford, Mass.) added her first collegiate goal, as the Beacons amassed season-highs in shots (27) and shots on goals (15).
Playing behind a rare three-woman back line, freshman goalie Alyssa Fugiel (Easthampton, Mass.) posted her second collegiate shutout and victory by making seven saves.
After a frustrating first half in which senior Alexandria Levesque (Metheun, Mass.) hit the inside of the far post and the Beacons created the better chances, UMass Boston finally broke through to begin the second stanza.
Masionis fed O'Grady a pass inside the 18-yard box and the freshman calmly dribbled around Rhode Island College goalie Stefanie Togbasi, before slotting it home for her team-leading third goal of the season at 48:35.
It only took 55 seconds for UMass Boston to add to their lead, as the Beacons once again found a player open behind the back line. This time it was O'Grady providing the assist, as she fed an on-rushing Stibor and the senior tapped it past an on-rushing Togbasi.
The Beacons dominated possession and continued creating chances for the final 40 minutes and were unlucky to not add to their lead before the 74th minute.
O'Grady had a one-on-one chance denied when her point-blank shot went off the keeper's face and freshman Carly Robinson's (Pittsfield, Mass.) blast from distance hit off the underside of the crossbar and bounced out.
Masionis tacked on the Beacons third and final goal at 73:30. Sophomore Cassie Levesque (Metheun, Mass.) floated a long arching pass that bounced over Togbasi's head, and Masionis fought off two Anchorwomen to chest it home for her first collegiate goal.
Rhode Island College rarely threatened Fugiel on the afternoon, as the freshman only needed to make one difficult save.
BY THE NUMBERS
- Prior to today's contest, O'Grady was responsible for both goals the Beacons had scored this season.
- Masionis and O'Grady both recorded a career-high three points in the win.
- Togbasi made her collegiate debut for the Anchorwomen in the loss and recorded 12 saves on 15 shots.
- UMass Boston extended their winning streak to eight against the Anchorwomen. During that time, the Beacons have outscored Rhode Island College 33-2.
- The Beacons held a 27-12 edge in shots and 15-7 advantage on shots on goal.
- 10 different players recorded at least one shot for UMass Boston.
Who's Next
UMass Boston will look to avenge a 3-1 loss from a year ago, when they travel to intra-city rival Emmanuel College Tuesday night at 7 p.m.
