UMass Boston got a bounce-back win Sept. 17 with a thriller in Milton, holding onto a 3-2 lead over Curry College and ending a short two-game winless stretch.
The Colonels struck first about 25 minutes into the first half when Jovi Goldstein beat the Beacons’ freshman keeper, Janiya Matier. Matier saw a good amount of action early on until UMass Boston eased in. The Beacons allowed four corner kicks in just the first half as Curry controlled play.
It wasn’t until Goldstein’s opening goal that the Beacons calmed down and flipped the field towards Curry. Sofia Schallmo scored to tie things at one with around five minutes left in the half as the Beacons geared up. Just three minutes after Schallmo’s fifth of the year, she assisted on Sofia Robert’s first to give UMass Boston a one-goal lead.
The Beacons closed out the first half with 12 shots and a strong finish after starting slow.
The second half spelled for more Beacons dominance, outshooting the Colonels 9-4 to total a game-long advantage for UMass Boston of 21-10. Schallmo gave the Beacons insurance midway through the second half, asserting full control over the game.
Curry struck back with just over 10 minutes remaining, finally breaking through the strong backend of the Beacons. It was Goldstein’s second, giving Curry life for the first time since the first half.
UMass Boston allowed just one shot after the Colonels brought it to one in a strong defensive stand, although it required a leaping stop from Janiyah Matier. Senior Bella Luca and freshman Mia Carvalho shined specifically on the defensive side.
Aside from Schallmo, it was another game with solid performances offensively from Maddy Moore and Lucinda Cotter. There was just one shot between the two — from Moore, a freshman — but they were constantly around the ball and able to move it upfield at a high rate, creating opportunities.
Curry College hasn’t beaten the Beacons since 2017. Their momentum stalled Sept. 20 at Rhode Island College, as the Beacons were shut out 1-0 marking the third time in four games UMass Boston has been held scoreless. Both teams were scoreless through 86 minutes until Hannah Rezendes netted the eventual game winner.
Nevertheless, UMass Boston starts the season 0-1 in Little East Conference play after their loss to RIC, bringing their total record to 4-2-1.
They’re third in the LEC despite allowing the second least goals in the conference. UMass Boston is in the bottom third.
The Beacons’ LEC schedule resumed Saturday, welcoming Keene State with a 1-1 tie.
