The UMass Boston men’s soccer team was looking for its first Little East Conference (LEC) victory of the 2003 season against the visiting Eastern Connecticut State. Jarod Groat, however, had different ideas, scoring the only goal of the game at 57:28 of the second half, giving the Warriors of ECS a 1-0 win.

The Beacons fell under .500 (7-8) for the first time this season and their conference record worsened to 0-6. ECS improved to 5-10-2 overall, and 2-4 in LEC play.

The game had a good flow to it, with each team counterattacking aggressive offensive assaults. The Warriors had more legitimate scoring chances, but Beacon goalkeeper Michael Tady (eight saves) made some impressive stops, while other ECS scoring attempts sailed either too wide or too high.

The Beacons offensive was not stymied, but the team seldom positioned itself for good scoring opportunities. Alejandro Lopez, Maynor Sanchez, and James Ocampo often charged down field with deft ball control and precision passes, but the forwards and midfielders could not just make that one crucial pass that would have resulted in a goal.

After a competitive and hard fought first half, the Warriors made the first serious offensive threat in the second half. Groat found himself in front of the Beacon goal, and blasted a kick at Tady who made a diving save. The ball, however, bounced back to Groat who, with Tady on the ground, managed to squeeze the ball by the goalkeeper and a Beacon defender.

UMB tried everything to tie the game, and the intensity of the match picked up. Several times, the Beacons made promising rushes up the field but were denied by the Warrior defense. ECS goalkeeper Dan Murphy, four saves on four Beacon shots for a shutout, made one nice save down the stretch to ensure the win.

The Beacons conclude the 2003 season with a road game against Western Connecticut State College.