BOSTON, Mass. (Nov. 4, 2026) – UMass Boston men's soccer punched its ticket to the Little East Conference Championship with a commanding 3-1 victory over Rhode Island College at BC High JV Field on Wednesday, scoring twice in the opening 13 minutes and weathering a physical semifinal contest to advance to Saturday's title match.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
UMass Boston wasted no time establishing control. Fifth-year midfielder Ryan Lima (Minas Gerais, BR.) opened the scoring in the 10th minute, finishing a low shot to the right off a double assist from senior forward John Arruda (Espirito Santo, BR) and junior midfielder Eduardo Chirico (Minas Gerais, BR.). Three minutes later, first-year midfielder Gabriel Jordao (Bellingham, Mass.) doubled the lead in the 13th minute, converting off another Arruda feed with a low shot to the right to make it 2-0.
Arruda's two assists in the opening surge tied the individual single-game season high — a mark he had also reached in the Oct. 28 win over UMass Dartmouth. The quick-strike start set the tone for a match that would grow increasingly physical, with the two sides combining for 29 fouls and five yellow cards.
Rhode Island College refused to fold before the break. Moise Augustin pulled the Anchormen within one in the 40th minute, finishing high to the right off a Marco Hoxholli assist to make it 2-1 heading into halftime. The goal gave the visitors a foothold and set up a tense second half.
UMass Boston responded with the decisive moment of the match eight minutes into the second half. After Rhode Island College goalkeeper Elhadji Ndoye received a yellow card, Chirico stepped to the spot and converted the penalty kick in the 54th minute to restore a two-goal cushion at 3-1. It was Chirico's sixth goal of the season, capping a complete two-way performance from the junior who also assisted Lima's opener and played the full 90 minutes.
Lima nearly extended the lead further in the 65th minute, but his shot rattled off the crossbar. The Beacons' fifth-year goalkeeper JJ Devine (Halifax, Mass.) then delivered the exclamation point in the game's dying moments, denying Donovan Battle's penalty kick in the 90th minute to seal the result and end any hope of an Anchormen comeback. Devine finished with four saves on the afternoon.
UMass Boston out-shot Rhode Island College 13 to 8, with each side placing five shots on goal. The Beacons earned seven corner kicks to the Anchormen's four. Jordao and Lima's team-leading seventh goals rounded out a balanced offensive effort that underscored the Beacons' depth heading into the championship.
UP NEXT:
UMass Boston returns to action Saturday, Nov. 7, for the Little East Conference Championship against the winners of the LEC #1/#4 matchup, featuring the Western Connecticut Wolves, and the University of Southern Maine Huskies. Kick-off time and location are TBD.
To stay up to date on all things UMass Boston Athletics, follow the Beacons on Instagram (@UMassBeacons), and X (UMassBostonAthletics), and read the latest stories and updates here at https://beaconsathletics.com
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