Don’t look now, but the UMass Boston lacrosse team only has two games remaining before the Little East Conference playoffs begin. The Beacons had three matchups in the past week and are looking to finish the season strong. With the season coming to a close, let’s take a look at the state of the team and how they have been playing of late.
Last Saturday, the Beacons had a marquee matchup with Keene State College who currently sit in third place in the LEC. As you might expect, the game was very tight all the way through. At halftime, the Beacons trailed the Owls by a narrow 7–6 margin. However, a flurry of four goals in the fourth quarter gave the Beacons a 14–13 victory as Darragh Fahey scored the game-winning goal with 2:35 remaining in the contest.
The Beacons then followed that game up by facing the second ranked team in Western Connecticut State University. In this game, the Beacons showed why they deserve to be the top team in the LEC. After an evenly matched first quarter, the Beacons took over in the second by outscoring Western Connecticut State University by four goals, taking an 11–7 lead into halftime. The Beacons proceeded to outscore the opposition 12–7 in the second half to win the game 23–14.
Their third and final matchup this week came against Eastern Connecticut State University who currently sit in fifth place in the LEC. Eastern Connecticut State University didn’t pose anywhere near the threat that either of the Beacons’ previous two opponents posed. The Beacons got out to a hot start in the first quarter, outscoring their opponent 6–1. They followed that up with pure dominance scoring five goals in the second quarter while allowing none. Ultimately, the 11 goals the Beacons had at halftime would have been enough to secure a victory, but the Beacons added another 11 in the second half to take home a 22–6 win.
With those three wins, the Beacons maintain their undefeated 7–0 record in the LEC going into the final week of the regular season. This week the Beacons have two games, but only one remaining LEC game against Castleton University.
Castleton University has been mediocre at best this season with a 2–4 record in the LEC and a 2–12 record overall. With the way the Beacons were able to beat the top tier teams in the LEC this past week, Castleton University shouldn’t really pose any sort of threat.
The Beacons’ final matchup before the postseason will come against New England College. New England College holds a 6–8 record, including a 21–4 loss against Plymouth State who the Beacons beat earlier in the year by a score of 19–7. Taking that into account, it should be expected that the Beacons secure two easy wins to wrap up the regular season.
Last season, the Beacons were able to secure the LEC title and advance to the NCAA Division III tournament. By the way the Beacons have played this season, they should find themselves right back in the NCAA tournament this year. The only LEC team that really caused the Beacons any trouble in the regular season thus far has been Keene State. If they can get through Keene State, UMass Boston shouldn’t have an issue advancing to the NCAA tournament.

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Josh Kotler

UMass Boston player Charlie Chapman (#3) advances while surrounded by opponents in the match against Western Connecticut State University on Wednesday, April 20, 2022. Photo by Josh Kotler / Mass Media Staff