Both the UMass Boston men and women’s soccer teams had some very important games this past week, as they both had two intra-conference matchups. With the season reaching its mid-point, every LEC matchup should be considered a must win from here on out. Here is how our UMass Boston soccer teams fared this past week.
Men’s Soccer 
The UMass Boston men’s soccer team has been near perfect all season long. Their only two losses have come in nail-biting one-goal losses, and were very winnable games. This past week, UMass Boston had two very important games against LEC opponents. They did not disappoint, as the Beacons were the victors in both games against Plymouth State and the University of Southern Maine.
Their first game of the week was a 2–0 shutout against Plymouth State. This would mark UMass Boston’s first conference win of the season as they dropped their first conference game to Eastern Connecticut State. UMass Boston dominated Plymouth State on the shot chart, with UMass Boston getting eight shots on net to Plymouth State’s one shot on net. It seemed like the Beacons strolled through this game.
Their second game of the week came against the University of Southern Maine which was a closer game on the scoreboard with the final score being 2–1. But like the Beacon’s previous game, they dominated Southern Maine when it came to shots, putting a total of nine shots on net to Southern Maine’s two. The game seemed bound for a tie. That is, until Nilton De Andrade was able to give the Beacons an 84th-minute one-goal lead to close out the game.
Women’s Soccer
After two losses in a row to Wheaton College and Brandeis University, the Beacons needed to have a bounce back week, and that is exactly what they did. UMass Boston had to face off against two LEC opponents: Plymouth State University and the University of Southern Maine.
The Beacons started off the week with a 1–1 draw against Plymouth State. The Beacons struck first with a goal from Maggie Kelley, but unfortunately Plymouth State bounced back with a goal in the second half to lock the game at one goal apiece. Although the Beacons were dominant on the shot count, getting nine shots on net, Plymouth State would not budge and the game would end in a draw.
Then on Wednesday, the Beacons would clash with the University of Southern Maine. UMass Boston undoubtedly imposed their will upon the Southern Maine Huskies, as they would go on to win by a score of 4–0. A total of four seniors all scored in the victory; seniors Grace Oliver and Allie Crawford opened the scoring in the first half, followed by two more goals in the second half from seniors Morgan Palma and Dani Anderson.
These two results were good enough to slot the Beacons in second place in the conference behind Western Connecticut State University. Unfortunately, that one draw against Plymouth State cost the Beacons a tie in first place. It is also important to note that Western Connecticut has yet to lose a single game this season.
What’s Next?
Both the men and women’s soccer teams at UMass Boston will have two non-conference games before meeting up against Rhode Island College on Oct. 9. The Beacons will have three conference games in a row after this upcoming week, which will be vital to their seasons.