DANBURY, C.T. - The UMass Boston offense did not find its stride until the second half on Saturday, but when they did they got exactly what they needed, securing their first-ever road victory over Western Connecticut State, 2-1.
THE BASICS
UMass Boston 2, Western Connecticut State 1
UMass Boston (6-3-6, 3-0-3 LEC)
Western Connecticut State (7-5-4, 4-1-1 LEC)
HOW IT HAPPENED
Over 35 minutes of scoreless play gave way when WestConn's Sophia Onek put her first goal of the season into the back of the net to give the Wolves an early 1-0 lead.
After giving up the game's first goal in the first half, UMass Boston goalie
Isabella O'Connell locked in to keep her team within striking distance. Saturday marked her second straight game saving at least a dozen shots.
Looking to ensure her goalie's efforts were not in vain, veteran forward
Kaylee Haynes took over in the second half. In the 57th minute, she took a pass from
Elia Velez and put her team-leading sixth goal of the season into the back of the net to tie the score at 1-1.
In the waning minutes of the match, Haynes decided she wasn't satisfied with just a goal. She put the ball right where sophomore
Andrea Rivera needed it, setting her up for the game-winning goal in the 84th minute.Â
BY THE NUMBERS
- O'Connell has made 25 saves in the last two games, recording a shutout and leading the Beacons to a 1-0-1 record against the LEC's top two teams
- The victory broke a streak of three straight ties and stretched their unbeaten streak to seven gamesÂ
- Haynes (6) and Rivera (5) both rank in the top 10 in the LEC in goals scored
- The sixth-leading goal scorer in program history, Haynes now needs two more scores to tie Grace McGettrick for fifth place
- UMass Boston goalies are allowing just 1.4 goals per game on the season
- Saturday marked the first road victory over Western Connecticut State in program history
WHO'S NEXT
The Beacons will return to James Cotter Field on Wednesday, October 18 when they host Westfield State University for a non-conference matchup. That game will kick off at 7 PM.
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