Box Score
BOSTON, Mass. – Led by Kerri Alexander's (Carver, Mass.) first career hat trick women's soccer collected their first Little East Conference win as they cruised past the University of Southern Maine with a 5-2 victory Saturday evening at James Cotter Field.
THE BASICS
UMass Boston 5, U. of Southern Maine 2
UMass Boston (2-7-2, 1-1-1 Little East Conference)
University of Southern Maine (3-7-0, 0-3-0 Little East Conference)
HOW IT HAPPENED
Needing a win to stay alive in the conference standings, the Beacons had to battle back from an early deficit, as the Huskies got on the board in the 22nd minute on an unassisted goal by Hana McNally. That lead lasted just four minutes as Kate Leavitt (Plymouth, Mass.) notched her second goal of the season. The sophomore scored on a rebound off of a free kick from about 40 yards out. The ball initially struck Alexander in the back, and landed perfectly on Leavitt's foot, as she tapped in the Beacons first goal of the night.
Jaclyn O'Grady (Somers, Conn.) would then give the Beacons their first lead of the day in the 32nd minute off of a pass from Jessi Beverlin (Eagle River, Alaska). UMass would end the first half with a 10-8 advantage in shots, and the one goal lead.
After the break, the Beacons offense, which has been dormant all season, came alive and completely took over Saturday's rain soaked affair. Alexander gave the Beacons their first two-goal lead in conference play in the 60th minute off of a through ball pass from O'Grady.
Five minutes later, Alexander struck again, this time connecting with Beverlin. Beverlin set-up the play by ripping a shot which was saved by Southern Maine goalkeeper Taylor Canastra. Canastra was unable to bring the ball in, with the deflection going right to Alexander, who tapped in for the score.
The final Beacons goal, came late in the half as Alexander secured the victory for her team. The junior dribbled through the Huskies defense and knocked it home to collect her first-ever hat trick.
Even with the lead in their favor, the Huskies did not go quietly, with Adela Kalilwa driving home a header goal with 49 seconds remaining in the contest.
The Beacons led the second half in shots 8-7 to close out the contest with a 18-15 advantage overall.
BY THE NUMBERS
- Alexander became the first Beacon to record a hat trick since Krista Ledin '15 did it against Plymouth State University on October 25, 2014, when she had four goals in the conference win.
- In goal Alyssa Fugiel (Easthampton, Mass.) made four saves to earn her second win of the year
- Jessie Tenaglia (Braintree, Mass.) made her collegiate debut on Saturday and registered one save in 14 minutes of playing time
- The Beacons held a 7-3 advantage in corner kicks, 6-0 in the first half
- Canastra made five saves in the loss for the Huskies
- UMass Boston has now won 10 straight conference games over the Huskies and are 10-13 all-time
WHO'S NEXT
The Beacons will travel to Wentworth Institute on Wednesday for a 7 p.m. non-conference game.
