DANBURY, CT (November 8, 2025) – The UMass Boston men's soccer team achieved its goal of bringing home the program's fifth Little East Conference Tournament Championship with a gritty 2-1 road win over the Western Connecticut Wolves.
Junior standout John Arruda (Espirito Santo, Brazil) was named the 2025 LEC Tournament Most Outstanding Player after powering a red-hot Beacons offense throughout the postseason. Arruda notched an assist in the 4-1 semifinal win over Rhode Island College and scored the opening goal in the championship. He finished the season with a team-high 23 points on 10 goals and three assists.
The opening 45 minutes featured a defensive battle, with both teams combining for just five first-half shots. The Beacons held a narrow 3-2 edge while keeping their defense composed, conceding only four fouls despite a yellow card in the 33rd minute. First-year goalkeeper Nolan McKenna (Norwell, Mass.) went untested in the half, as the Wolves failed to register a shot on target against the Beacons' disciplined back line.
Both sides came out attacking in the second half. After several close chances from the Beacons between the 53rd and 69th minutes, it was the tournament's Most Outstanding Player who broke through — Ryan Doherty (Quincy, Mass.) threaded a perfect pass through the defense to find Arruda, who buried a powerful strike to give UMass Boston a 1-0 lead.
With five minutes remaining, the Beacons extended their advantage when Felipe De Andrade (Westborough, Mass.) delivered his fourth corner of the half to Eduardo Chirico (Minas Gerais, Brazil), who converted the eventual game-winner.
The Wolves cut the deficit moments later, capitalizing on a penalty kick to make it 2-1. But the Beacons' defensive unit held firm in the closing minutes, forcing three shots off target to seal the victory and secure UMass Boston's fifth LEC Tournament Championship in program history.
Seventeen total Beacons saw the field, led by defenders Parker Hamilton (Lexington, Mass.) and Ian Visnick (Beverly, Mass.), who both played the full 90 minutes. Of the team's 12 total shots, five were on goal, led by Ryan Lima (Minas Gerais, Brazil) with two. McKenna recorded three saves in the win.
UMass Boston will advance to the NCAA Regional Tournament at a date and time to be announced. Be on the lookout for the NCAA Division III Men's Soccer Selection Show on Monday, November 10.
--GO BEACS--
