With a number of jaw dropping saves, a total of fourteen on the day, and one gritty block from junior defender Anthony Cataldo in the final minutes of the second half, sophomore Goalkeeper Paul Maniscalco recorded his third shutout of the season on Saturday Oct. 21st. The Beacons took down conference rival Western Connecticut State in a 4-0 assault that builds on a possible run to the 2006 LEC playoff tournament. UMass is currently tied for 4th in the standings and there are only 2 out of a possible 4 playoff spots left unclaimed.
All four goals in the game came unassisted, but the win was one of the best examples this season of cohesive teamwork by the Beacon crew that has been on a roll of late. The first two scores came very early starting with a perfectly placed curve ball from junior midfielder Maynor Sanchez from 25 feet out that found a small open space in the top right corner of the goal. Only minutes later junior forward Stew Tracy was taken down in the box leading to a goal on a penalty kick from senior defender and captain Mike Reda who has not missed from inside the box all season.
All the scoring in the second half came from sophomore midfielder Romeo Zeqo who was named LEC offensive player of the week for the second time this season for his performance in this match and in the week leading up to it. His first goal came half way through the second half as he took the ball from the left side, beating two separate defenders as he weaved his way into position for the shot. His second score came off a direct kick that curled around the defenders and passed the goalkeeper landing in the back of the net in the bottom right corner.
The win showed toughness and resolve from the starters but also leadership from their captain midfielder G Goncalves who sat the first half as a change of pace and motivational spark for his teammates. Following a two game losing streak that threatened to derail a great winning season, Goncalves came to the conclusion that something needed to be done to shake up the midfield and that it was his responsibility to do just that. The captain was impressed with the play of his teammates and did not feel the need to come into the game until almost half way through the second half, and even then mostly to bring fresh legs into the game and help shut it down on defense. Everyone was also equally impressed with the performance in goal by Maniscalco. His defenders were inspired by his play to help preserve his shut out as Cataldo explained, “I was fighting to the end for him, I wanted him to have his clean sheet, and I made sure of it.”
The Beacons will find out this week if they made the LEC tournament which will be determined by games played on Oct. 28th around the league.