It’s safe to say this past week was one to remember for junior soccer player Kaylee Haynes, who won LEC offensive player of the week, and senior cross-country runner Jimmy Cannon, as he was named LEC runner of the week for the second straight week. With the fall sports season just about at its halfway point, it is great to see some of our fellow Beacons go above and beyond for their respective teams. So, let’s take a look at why these two deserved the honor of being named LEC player of the week.
Last week, UMass Boston women’s soccer imposed their will, going 3–0 in defeating Salem State University, Simmons University and Eastern Connecticut State University. Let’s see how Haynes helped UMass Boston complete this perfect stretch of play.
Haynes was able to bury her first goal of the season while helping the Beacons take down Salem State with a whopping score of 6–2. Against Simmons, Haynes was able to grab her second goal of the season while helping lift UMass Boston to a 4–0 route. Then, the most important game against Eastern Connecticut State is where Haynes shined her brightest, as she was able to grab the equalizing goal in the 75th minute and, finally, the game winner just five minutes later to give the Beacons a win in their first LEC matchup on the season.
It’s safe to say that game against Eastern Connecticut State was the icing on the cake for what was a spectacular week for Haynes. The UMass Boston women’s soccer team currently holds a solid 5–2–1 record, but what should be highlighted is that the Beacons were able to take down a very good Eastern Connecticut State team, which bodes well for them defending their 2019 conference title.
As for Jimmy Cannon, he had quite the week to remember as well. At the UMass Dartmouth Invitational, Cannon beat his previous personal record of 26:20.09 by nearly two minutes as he finished with a time of 24:33.30. Despite Cannon’s unbelievable effort, the Beacons could only muster a 30th place finish out of 33 teams. However, it is clear that Cannon’s efforts have not gone unnoticed as he has now been named the LEC runner of the week for two straight weeks.
The Beacons’ men’s cross-country team still has three more invitationals before the LEC championships which will take place in Castleton, Vermont. Next up on tab for Cannon and the cross-country Beacons will be this weekend at the Codfish Bowl Invitational in Boston.
Having a full season off due to issues out of your control has to be one of the most demoralizing and toughest things to have to endure as an athlete and that is exactly what UMass Boston fall sports had to do in 2020. But for athletes like Haynes and Cannon, it only seemed to spur on their hunger to compete at a high level, and it is nice to see that they are getting recognized for all their hard work during that time. So, congratulations to both Haynes and Cannon for being rewarded for their great play this past week! Now it will be very interesting to see which other Beacons will follow suit and earn their own LEC player of the week.