The UMass Boston men’s soccer team took over their home field for a match-up against the Bridgewater State Bears Sept. 29 at 12 p.m.
The Beacons started hard and fast, and this time they kept their momentum alive until the very end of the game. It all started when junior forward Rafael Gross opened the scoreboard with the first shot of the game in the 15th minute, and then exactly 15 minutes later, freshman midfielder Gustavo De Paula scored the second goal in the 30th minute, giving the Beacons a 2-0 lead over the Bears.
The team gave almost no chances to the Bears to score. The Beacons struck again in the 38th minute with freshman Cam Ramos scoring his first collegiate goal ever, giving the team a 3-0 lead heading into halftime.
The Bears were too busy focusing on their defensive play, with the Beacons clawing through their walls.
The golden opportunity for Bridgewater finally arrived in the 55th minute, when Filipo Mucci snuck a shot through freshman goalkeeper Mario Hajhdi.
This did not sit right with sophomore midfielder Felipe De Andrade as he responded with a goal of his own, regaining the 4-1 lead.
The Beacons kept their winning streak alive with this striking win.
Gross responded to this win as he said, “It feels great we made three points in the first half, it feels great. This is motivating for all the guys; it’s really good for the team morale. It’s always good when you get a chance to score and a great ball from Ryan (Lima). One-on-one with the goalie, plus it was the first goal of the game. It makes way for the team to dominate the game.”
Gross scored the first goal of the game, setting the stage for everyone else while at the same time setting the trajectory of the game.
De Andrade, who has been lighting up the scoreboard at least once in every single game, commented, “The hard work from my teammates, my staff, coaches, and everybody who has been putting in the work both on and off the field. My trainers are constantly in with us. Without these people, none of my performance, my abilities would be possible.”
De Andrade also played for the Boston Bolts, and his professional experience there translates into his performance on the field and discipline off. He further states, “It was great, getting more touches and getting sharper this season. It was a great preparation coming into the season.”
The Beacons have put in a lot of work on their offensive play, which has successfully translated into more scoring opportunities and even more goals on the field.
Even after the team’s rough start in the beginning, the season has picked up for the Beacons. From battling tough opponents to coming out victorious, they have come a long way.
The Beacons are all set for an away game against Vermont State University, Castleton Oct. 11 at 5 p.m.
