NEWPORT, R.I. – A trio of goals in each half put women's soccer back on the winning track as they cruised past Salve Regina University by the final of 6-2 Wednesday afternoon at Toppa Field.
THE BASICS
UMass Boston 6, Salve Regina University 2
UMass Boston (6-3-2)
Salve Regina University (6-5-0)
HOW IT HAPPENED
Maggie Kelley (Paxton, Mass.),
Mary Jo Murphy (Worcester, Mass.) and
Kaylee Haynes (Bridgewater, Mass.) each netted a pair of goals in the non-conference victory. Murphy also picked-up an assist to cap-off a five-point day for the senior back, turned offensive threat.
The Beacons took control of Wednesday's contest immediately, as they broke scoreless draw in the fourth minute on a Kelley goal.
Georgia Bonney (Kingston, Mass.) assisted on the play, which ended the Beacons scoreless drought.
UMB would maintain their slim lead until the final minutes of the half with Haynes scoring back-to-back goals. Her second, which was a blast off the bottom of the crossbar came as time was expiring.
After the break, Murphy made it a 4-0 affair on an unassisted play. Salve Regina ended UMB's shutout bid three minutes later. Murphy and Kelley would seal the win for the Beacons as they registered their goals within a three-minute span.
Salve had the final goal of the afternoon, but any chance of a comeback was quickly eliminated by a strong defensive showing by UMB.
Maria Spylios (Leominster, Mass.) picked-up the win after making five stops in the first 63 minutes.
Isabella O'Connell (Abington, Mass.) made her collegiate debut and had two saves in the final 26 minutes of play.
BY THE NUMBERS
- The Beacons outshot Salve Regina 25-14, 17-9 in shots on goal
- UMass Boston also held a 5-2 advantage in corner kicks
- With her five points, Murphy becomes the first Beacon this season to cross the 20-point (23) threshold, which is also a career-high for the Worcester native.
- Spylios earned her sixth win of the campaign on Wednesday
- Sarah Gavin (Hanover, Mass.), Lindsay Bouscaren (Cambridge, Mass.), and Grace McGettrick (Marshfield, Mass.) all had one assist in the win
WHO'S NEXT
The Beacons will travel to Rhode Island College on Saturday for a 1 p.m. conference game.
