GORHAM, M.E. - It was the Beacons' "iron man" Diego Gisholt - who has played every minute of the last eight matches for UMass Boston - delivering in the clutch on Wednesday night against Southern Maine. The Newton, Mass. native scored the tying goal in the 26th minute and assisted on John Arruda's game-winner in the second half, leading his squad to a 2-1 victory. 

THE BASICS
UMass Boston 2, University of Southern Maine 1

UMass Boston (9-3-2, 3-1-1 LEC)
University of Southern Maine (4-7-3, 2-3-0 LEC)

HOW IT HAPPENED
The Beacons, who are no strangers to quick starts, themselves, were the victims of an early goal in Gorham on Wednesday. Southern Maine's Cole Johnson gave the Huskies a 1-0 lead with his 19th-minute score.

UMass Boston was quick to threaten the early lead, drawing a penalty kick opportunity in the 26th minute. Gisholt made good on the chance, putting his second goal of the season into the back of the net to knot the game at one.

With less than 10 minutes run off the clock in the second half, Gisholt once again had the opportunity to provide a spark to the UMass Boston offense. Putting the ball in play from a corner kick, his pass found the boot of freshman John Arruda. Arruda's fifth goal of his debut season put the Beacons on top 2-1.

Playing in his first game in nearly a month, goalie Qasim El-Ashkar locked in after allowing the opening score, saving both shots on goal wagered by the Huskies to secure the victory. 

BY THE NUMBERS

• The Beacons outshot the Huskies 13-7 including a 5-3 advantage on shots on goal
• Gisholt played 90 minutes for the eighth straight match, his 12th time playing an entire game this season
• Arruda's 14 points rank third on the team this season
• El-Ashkar lowered the team's goals against average to 1.50
• The Beacons have won 11 straight matchups with the Huskies, improving their record in the all-time series to 25-14-2

WHO'S NEXT
The Beacons will return to Monan Soccer Field on Saturday, October 14 to face Western Connecticut State at noon. The last time the two squads met was in the 2022 LEC championship game, a victory for UMass Boston.