BOSTON, Mass.—Eastern Connecticut State senior back Larson Richards' first-half goal proved to be the difference, as the Warriors defeated UMass Boston men's soccer 1-0 in both team's 2021 Little East Conference Opener.  

THE BASICS 

Eastern Connecticut State University 1, UMass Boston 0 

(UMass Boston 3-2, Little East 0-1)  

(Eastern Connecticut State University 4-2, Little East 1-0) 

HOW IT HAPPENED 

UMass Boston dominated the chances, especially in the second half, but couldn't find a way past Richards and sophomore keeper Dylan Pallanck. 

Pallanck made a career-high nine saves and Richards came up with several key interceptions and pass break-ups to help the Warriors hand the Beacons' their first home defeat of the season.  

UMass Boston freshman goalie JJ Devine (Halifax, Mass.) made three saves on four shots to fall to 2-2 on the seaon.  

Richards opened the scoring at 18:05. Eastern earned a throw-in along the near side and David Noel found the feet on Eddy Vargas, who pushed the ball back towards midfield for Richards. The Central Connecticut State University transfer took one touch and then launched a high-arching, right-footed shot that went just over Devine's fingertips and in from 47-yards out.  

UMass Boston began to grow into the game over the final 15 minutes of the half and had a tremendous opportunity to tie the game in the 43^rd minute. Sophomore Denilson Goncalves (Fogo, Cape Verde) forced a turnover at midfield and ran in one-on-one with the keeper, he managed to dribble past the goalie but his shot went just wide of the post as a defender got back to pressure his shot.  

The Beacons came up with their first good chance of the second half in the 58^th minute. Junior Riven Rodrigues (Brockton, Mass.) collected a long pass inside the box with his first touch, but his left-footed shot went over the bar.  

Beacons senior Nilton de Andrade (Fogo, Cape Verde) collected the ball in space in the 70^th minute, but his shot from distance bounced just wide of the far post.  

The Beacons had their best chance to tie the game in the 71^st minute. Kudi Onyejose (East Greenwich, R.I.) got on to the end of a Gerardo Castaneda (Providence, R.I.) corner kick, but his header hit the crossbar square on. The rebound bounced out to de Andrade, but his header went wide of the near post.  

de Andrade was tripped up in the box minutes later, but the referee decided to let the teams play on. 

UMass Boston pinned the Warriors back in their own half for the final 20 minutes, but they couldn't manage to find a tying goal.  

BY THE NUMBERS 

• UMass Boston earned an 18-5 edge in shots and 9-4 lead in shots on goal. The Beacons also led 6-3 in corner kicks.  
• Eastern Connecticut State improved to 26-7-2 all-time against the Beacons.  
• Freshman Luis Spinola (Brockton, Mass.) made his return to the pitch after missing the past two contests. 

WHO'S NEXT  

UMass Boston will have a quick turnaround, as they travel to take on Bridgewater State University on Monday at 7 p.m.