The UMass Boston women’s soccer team tied Bridgwater State in a scoreless match Wednesday, Oct. 30. Four days prior, Western Connecticut State tied the Little East leading Southern Maine, in an identical 0-0 score. Both the Beacons and the Wolves are jockeying for position as the regular season rusts away.
The Beacons, who have clinched a playoff berth with 16 points, hold an incremental edge over the West Conn. Wolves, 14 points, in the race for a first round bye in the LEC tournament. Each team’s season schedule lists one game remaining, and they’re in-conference contests. UMass Boston will host the current fourth seeded Eastern Connecticut State, and West Conn. lucks out with lowly 6-8-3 Rhode Island College.
UMass Boston is in the possession of the tiebreaker, as their overall win record bests West Conn’s. This second seed is important for the Beacons and they should be pushing to finish strong. If knocked down to the third seed, UMass Boston would have to play in the first round against the six seed in the LEC tournament. If second place is secured, the Beacons get a first round bye, and would play the winner of one of the first round matchups.
Coming with the clinch, it’s the seventh straight season Head Coach Amy Zombeck and her Beacons have made the LEC playoffs.
In other news, freshman forward Daniella Celotto was named the LEC’s Rookie of the Week. Celotto sealed the Beacons’ 2-1 comeback victory Saturday, Oct. 26 with a late goal; it was her third of the season. 27 of UMass Boston’s 37 goals this year have come from the foot of a freshman.
Their forward group seems settled heading into the postseason, as well as their defense, but what’s behind the back line is what’s interesting. Goalkeepers Julia Cote and Isabella O’Connell have shared time throughout the season, even swapping at half during some games.
Whether Zombeck and the Beacons opt to play both, or choose one, may be impacted by their final Nov. 1 game against Eastern Connecticut. Isabella O’Connell is coming off a shutout against Bridgewater State and a win against Vermont State Castleton. She was also swapped in for Cote Oct. 19, the last time Cote appeared in the second half match after her counterpart gave up two goals in the first.
If O’Connell comes out against Eastern Connecticut and looks good, it would seem guaranteed that she has the net in their first postseason match.
Cote has played just over 200 minutes more than O’Connell this year. They’ve got 51 saves a piece, but Cote has allowed six more goals this year, at 16.
UMass Boston is locked in for an opportunity at a run in the LEC this year, but a chance to make that road much easier is on the line in earning the second seed. Ties won’t do anything for them moving forward; every game from now on means more, and will be filled with pressure. The Beacons’ young core will be tested early on in their careers, and despite their lack of experience, they sure have talent
This article appeared in print on Page 14 of Vol. LVIII Issue VI, published Nov. 4, 2024.
