BOSTON, MA (October 18, 2025) – After a scoreless opening half, the UMass Boston men's soccer team (8-3-3, 3-1-1 LEC) erupted for three second-half goals to secure a 3-0 shutout victory over Eastern Connecticut State (8-5-0, 4-1-0 LEC). The win marks Head Coach Jake Beverlin's 143rd career victory at the helm, surpassing the late Noel Cotterell for the most wins in program history.
UMass Boston controlled play throughout the first half, outshooting Eastern Connecticut 11-1 and earning five corner kicks, but the Beacons entered halftime locked in a scoreless tie.
The breakthrough came in the 50th minute off a corner kick that sparked a flurry of shots from Eduardo Chirico (Minas Gerais, Brazil) and Felipe de Andrade (Westborough, Mass.). After a pair of attempts ricocheted off the post, sophomore Rafael Gross (Minas Gerais, Brazil) capitalized on the rebound for his fourth goal of the season, giving UMass Boston a 1-0 lead.
Less than ten minutes later, Chirico doubled the advantage after intercepting a failed clearance. Positioned just outside the 18-yard box, he curled a perfectly placed shot with the outside of his foot past the keeper to make it 2-0.
De Andrade sealed the 3-0 victory in the 66th minute, finishing off a low driven cross from Ryan Doherty (Quincy, Mass.) on the right wing. Cutting through the box, de Andrade met the pass with a one-touch strike past the diving goalkeeper to cap the Beacons' dominant second-half surge.
"We probably should have won that many games a lot sooner," joked Beverlin in reaction to his career milestone as the winningest coach in UMass Boston men's soccer history. "I really appreciate Marcelo [Cunha] and Steve [Estive Sosa] for their assistance along the way. They've played such a big role in shaping the culture of our team and supporting our student-athletes every day. Success like this doesn't happen without a strong staff, and I'm lucky to have them beside me."
Assistant coach Marcelo Cunha provided additional sentiment, saying, "It's a testament to his preparation and commitment to the team. His professionalism has been evident since he arrived here in 2013. Day in and day out, he's as well-prepared as anybody else in the country."
Cunha, a former player under Beverlin at UMass Boston, continued, "It speaks volumes that I played here and chose to stay and coach. It shows the kind of person, coach, and leader he is. He's done a phenomenal job, and I'm privileged to be a part of it."
Lastly, junior captain Ian Visnick (Beverly, Mass.) expressed his and the team's appreciation for Beverlin and the coaching staff, saying, "Our coaches are incredibly organized and exceptional at what they do. I'm more thankful for them than most coaches I see around the game. The way we buy in and show up to work every day on the details that end up helping us — it all translates directly to how we play. I'm only as good as I can be because they put me in a position to succeed, honestly."
Congratulations to Coach Beverlin on a remarkable milestone — and to many more successes in his continued future.
UMass Boston men's soccer returns to LEC action on Wednesday, October 22 when they travel north to Gorham, Maine for a showdown with the University of Southern Maine Huskies.
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