DANBURY, Conn. (Nov. 7, 2026) - UMass Boston men's soccer claimed back-to-back Little East Conference Championships with a 2-1 double-overtime victory over No. 1 seed Western Connecticut State at the Westside Athletic Complex on Saturday, with senior forward John Arruda (Espirito Santo, BR) delivering the golden goal in the 102nd minute to complete a stunning upset on WestConn's home field for the second consecutive year.
The Beacons entered the final as the No. 2 seed, having defeated No. 3 Rhode Island College 3-1 in the LEC Semifinals on Nov. 4. With the victory, UMass Boston wins its second consecutive LEC title and ties Western Connecticut State, and Eastern Connecticut State for second in the conference with the most championships in Little East Conference history (6).
WestConn brought a 13-4-5 overall record and a 7-0-1 conference mark into the championship, having earned the most points in the Little East Conference standings. The victory also reversed a 1-4 regular-season loss to WestConn earlier in 2026, a result that made Saturday's triumph all the more meaningful.
WestConn seized control early, with Juan Gomez Herrera opening the scoring in the 20th minute on a low drive to the right, assisted by Jeffrey Norales. The No. 1 seed had generated 11 first-half shots to UMass Boston's seven, and the Beacons needed an answer.
It came in the 35th minute. Fifth-year midfielder Ryan Lima (Minas Gerais, BR.) slipped a pass to junior midfielder Eduardo Chirico (Minas Gerais, BR.), who leveled the match with a low center strike to make it 1-1. The equalizer steadied the Beacons and sent both sides into halftime on even terms.
The second half belonged to WestConn on the stat sheet — the hosts outshot UMass Boston 14-5 and put five attempts on goal — but fifth-year goalkeeper JJ Devine (Halifax, Mass.) refused to yield. His most critical stop came in the 57th minute, when he denied a dangerous low-center shot from Chance Campbell to preserve the 1-1 tie. Devine turned away all three shots Campbell put on frame before the forward was substituted out.
The first overtime period passed without a shot from either side, the tension building with every scoreless minute. In the second overtime, sophomore forward Cam Ramos (Goiânia, BR.) — on as a substitute — found Arruda in space on the 3-2 breakaway, and Arruda buried a low cross into the top left corner to end it in the 102nd minute.
Devine finished with eight saves over 101-plus minutes — facing 10 shots on goal and allowing just one — as UMass Boston absorbed a 26-13 shot deficit and a 10-6 disadvantage in shots on goal across the full match. The Beacons committed 23 fouls to WestConn's 12, and the teams combined for five yellow cards — three for WestConn, two for UMass Boston — in an intensely physical final. UMass Boston converted two of their six shots on goal when it mattered most, while WestConn's goalkeeper made four saves on the night.
Chirico was named the Final's Most Outstanding Player recognition for his influence on both ends of the field, pioneering the equalizer and providing security from the back-line.
The 2026 LEC Championship title is Coach Beverlin's sixth during his tenure leading the Beacons, adding to his coveted trophy collection as one of the most decorated coaches in recent UMass Boston Athletics history.
Up Next:
With the win, the Beacons earn another automatic bid to the NCAA National Championship, with the regional-rounds selection show taking place on Monday, Nov. 11 at 11:00 AM. Follow the link HERE, to tag along and find out who UMass Boston plays in the first round of the Regional Championship.
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
--FIND A WAY--
