The UMass Boston men’s soccer team left the field heartbroken after a conference loss against the Western Connecticut Wolves Saturday, Oct. 4 at 12 p.m.
The Beacons dove right into the game as they took a shot on the goal within seconds of the whistle. The Wolves had a relatively much more difficult start as they were unable to keep the ball in possession for more than a minute, with the Beacons swarming it like hawks.
The air was different and the pressure was visible. This forced the Beacons into their element, pawing at any chance they could get their right kick on.
This pressure increased greatly as the Wolves opened the match minutes before halftime, securing a 1-0 lead over their already rattled opponent.
The second half saw another Wolves goal in the 73rd minute, bringing them up to 2-0. The Beacons finally responded as freshman Cam Ramos scored his first-ever collegiate goal in the 74th minute, narrowing the lead down to 2-1.
They made a strong comeback, but it still wasn’t enough to leash the Wolves.
The opponent guarded their territory and played strong defense, giving the Beacons almost null chances to sneak in. Freshman goalkeeper Nolan McKenna was the backbone of the team’s defense. He was their saving grace and the only thing stopping the Wolves from cashing their shots. He made a lot more saves this game compared to the others that they played. What started as a replacement for senior goalkeeper JJ Devine turned into McKenna becoming an integral part of the Beacons’ defense.
The goal from Ramos helped the team get their momentum back — and a little hope.
The Wolves maintained a balance on their offensive and defensive end throughout the first half. They played a heavy defense after the Beacons’ first goal, making it even more difficult for the team to score an equalizer.
This was an extremely hard-fought loss for the Beacons; they tried their very best. The team’s frustration could be seen with every missed shot.
The Beacons held their ground throughout the match. Even though the game did not yield the desired outcome for the Beacons, they still handled the loss with great stride.
The team had a comparatively stronger defense but the lack of offense sank them.
Western Connecticut University and UMass Boston have a long history of winning and losing. The Beacon’s toughest competition in the Little East Conference since their 2022 win.
Even though the loss stings, especially after giving so much, the Beacons handled it with utmost grace and will bounce back as a team. Their team chemistry separates them from their rivals. One loss does not define the trajectory of their season. They still have a long way to go, and hopefully, down the line, they will meet the Wolves again.
Overall, the Beacons are not having their best season yet, but they have picked up the pace and gained their momentum back.
Until then, the Beacons are all set for an away game against Swarthmore College Monday, Oct. 13 at 12 p.m.
