While the start of the school year is an exciting and stressful time for all students, it can also be a thrilling time for athletes. The beginning of the school year brings about the start of fall sports, allowing student athletes that have been training all year to finally compete and play against other schools in their divisions. For those who are avid fans, or looking to get into fall sports, get to know the teams of UMass Boston’s fall sports.

Coming off their tenth Little East Conference title, the women’s volleyball team would prove themselves to be a worthy competitor against other teams in the league. The team is the only team in the Little East Conference to win ten tournament titles, which is an incredibly impressive feat for the Beacons, given the volleyball team has had a total of twelve seasons. This upcoming season proves to be incredibly competitive for the team. However, with a large amount of the team returning from last season, perhaps the Beacons can aim for an eleventh title with the help of new players and interim head coach, Kaliopy Dalavouras.

The women’s cross country team finished off their season by placing 27th out of the 29 teams competing at NCAA regionals last November, with Grace Colon being a standout runner for the Beacons with a time of 26:46.8, and landing the team their place. Colon was also the first freshman runner to earn a top-10 finish and to earn First Team All-LEC honors. Returning team member Violeta Foster finished off the championship with a time of 28:17.4, and will be returning to the team as she enters her Junior year at UMass Boston.
As for the men’s cross country team, recent UMass Boston graduate Jimmy Cannon became the first Beacon in the history of the program to earn USTFCCCA All-Region honors after finishing in 35th place with a final time of 27:06.8 in the 5K. Cannon had an incredibly memorable and successful year, earning LEC Runner of the Week for six weeks consecutively. The team overall had a strong season, placing 19th at the Suffolk Invite on Oct. 16, and eighth at the Little East Conference Championships on Oct. 30.

Of all the fall sports teams at UMass Boston, soccer often tends to be a fan favorite, and for good reason. UMass Boston does not have a football team, so if students and staff are in search of a staple fall sport to watch on campus, many will flock to soccer. Beyond that, both the men’s and women’s soccer teams had very successful seasons last year. The women’s soccer team made it to the Little East Conference Championship in second place to play against Castleton University and win. The team then went on to play Western Connecticut State—who remains the best team in the league with a 16–1 record last season—and unfortunately lost.

The men’s soccer team also made it to the Little East Conference tournament in second place, however, they were also bested by Western Connecticut State, who have proven themselves to be a formidable rival for the Beacons. In addition to that, UMass Boston had two players named the LEC Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year, with recent UMass Boston graduate Nilton de Andrade being named Offensive Player of the Year and current senior Emelson Barbosa being named Defensive Player of the Year.

Lastly, the tennis teams finished off their already successful seasons with an even more triumphant ending. The women’s tennis team concluded their season with an overall record of 8–7 after losing to Endicott College at a non-conference match with a score of 9–0. In addition to this, the men’s tennis team were Little East Conference champions after sweeping against Salem State with a score of 5–0, and concluding their season with a record of 12–3.

All information regarding last season was sourced from the UMass Boston athletics website, which can also be used to keep up with the teams this season, as well as to see their schedules to catch a game or meet at home. Whether the UMass Boston community plans to support their team of choice on the court, field or from the comfort of their couch this upcoming season, be sure to show Beacon Pride in any way possible for the student athletes!