UMass Boston women’s soccer is riding their fine form into the final stretch of non-conference opponents. The Beacons, led by Amy Zombeck in her 19th season on the sidelines, are off their best start since their 2021 campaign which resulted in making it to the LEC Championship game, ultimately falling short to Western Connecticut. This season however, excitement is the operative word, coach Zombeck is very aware of what she has after their 3-2 win over Curry College last Wednesday, “Just how dynamic they are, you never know who is going to be a difference maker every time we step on the field,” said the long time coach.
The week of Sept. 16 began with a trip south to Roger Williams University. An explosive Hawks offensive attack that had scored 19 goals in just 5 games were stymied by the Beacons’ back line, holding strong with a bend but don’t break defense. The game was knotted at 0-0 in the 70th minute, despite the Hawks outshooting the Beacons by a margin of 5-2. That was until Mya D’Antonio launched a screamer from about 40 yards out, the ball got past Isabella O’Connell and the Hawks led. The UMass Boston offense came to life in the final stages of the game hitting the post twice in the final 10 minutes but could not find the equalizer that they were seeking. For the first time in their 2024 campaign, the Beacons would lose.
Back home on Wednesday, Sept. 18, the Beacons welcomed the Colonels of Curry College who made the short trip up Route 93 under the lights. A cool wet night with low lying fog set the stage for the Beacons offensive bonanza, scoring 3 goals in the opening 10 minutes.
Before it had even felt like the game had started, Sophia Schallmo collected the ball at midfield and turned well to create space for herself, and then it was off to the races. Warding off defenders until the top of the six yard box, Schallmo wrapped her left around the ball and delivered it to the far post where it bounced in. The Beacons would follow that just three minutes later when Schallmo was once again creating, this time at midfield and taking to nearly the same spot where she scored her goal, but calmly sliding it over to the fellow freshman, Daniella Celotto, who just had to redirect it into the net. Not bad for a couple of freshmen.
Well, Kathryn Brown heard that the freshmen were throwing a party and wanted to join in. She waited in the middle while Schallmo picked the pocket of the Curry left back, drilled a low cross into the box and Brown was clinical from inside the box, bringing the Beacons to a 3-0 lead. A lightning strike from the Beacons that left the Colonels shell shocked.
However, Curry would eventually find their footing in the match, finding a goal in the 51stt minute. A much more moderate pace of play in the 2nd half favored Curry as they were able to methodically pick their way through the UMass Boston defense and eventually find another goal in the 79th minute, making it a one goal game. It was full batten down the hatches time for the Beacons to preserve their lead. E Julia Cote, the junior goalkeeper, had a career high 10 saves in the game where eight came in the 2nd half. None more important than in the 80th minute, where a scramble in front of the net led to a point blank chance that Cote was able to get her right hand to. The Colonels would outshoot the Beacons 12-5 but could not sneak a third goal past Cote, and coach Zombeck knew how good she was, “she was outstanding, she made a couple big saves (to) keep us up…having the confidence with her back there to come up with a big save is great for the program.”
Closing out the week on Sept. 21 in New Hampshire, the Beacons traveled to Plymouth State for their first conference game of the season and coach Zombeck wasn’t quite sure how her team would react, “the new players have no idea what conference is about… it’s so important to take care of business in conference.”
The question of preparedness would be answered quickly, the Beacons scored in the opening five minutes again, and a quick answer from Plymouth would not be enough. After 45 minutes, UMass Boston held a 4-2 lead led by a first half hat trick from Andrea Rivera. The offensive barrage continued in the 2nd half with Beacons piling on four more goals. An 8-3 final Beacons to a 5-1-2 record.
Modest expectations have turned into something more, as excitement grows around this 2024 squad. Where they will take it remains to be seen.
