The Sharks stay steady through the Beacons’ tumultuous tide, as Simmons University hands the Little East Conference fearsome favorites their first loss of the season Sept. 25. It’s UMass Boston’s third regular season loss since Sept. 21, 2023.
It was a dominant and decisive 6-1 win from the Sharks, lifting the out of conference squad back above .500. This Beacons defeat comes a day after their victorious home opener against Vermont State University Castleton, which drew a rather bleak crowd compared to the turnout most athletic websites allege. UMass Boston bested the Spartans in an easy 7-2 dismissal.
The proverbial rock has hardly stopped rolling in Beaconville — they still remain undefeated within their conference this year, and since the LEC Tournament Semifinal of 2021-22 against Rhode Island College. Now, having key players such as ace-caliber senior Elena Albano and two solid and semi-proven sophomores Sandra Watson and Zainab Patel miss time, there’s certainly some slack to cut around here.
However, here’s a counter: the Beacons held a healthy-enough roster to stay competitive against Simmons, but they didn’t. Their definitive ace, Lydia Chan, played, as did their most powerful server, Ayonna Stuppard, along with Kaya-Lilliana Rutkowski, who’s been an impressive and impactful sophomore. All three lost their singles matches against the Sharks, and only Chan won a doubles match paired with Tatiana Malone. The first real challenge the Beacons faced, they fell and cracked first in their race with now 10-0 Rhode Island College to the top LEC seed.
Now, that’s an overly cynical overreaction. It’s a bump in the road, but an amplified one because of the Anchormen and their piping hot start. That’s not on UMass Boston — if anything, the frustration should be pointed at the schedule makers. There were 10 total games, four in conference for Rhode Island, and the Beacons have played half as many of each. But it is hard to look past comparing these two teams’ records even this early on — well, this early for one team.
The confidence won’t be shaken in the back-to-back LEC championships; they don’t have to care or take note of where this loss stacks them up in their conference. They’re the ones being chased, and that means other teams are taking note of where they are. Nobody else wants to see UMass Boston three-peat, especially not the team that lost to them in the last two years. At least Rhode Island will be paying attention, and now maybe drawing confidence.
But even through potential prolonged absences of certain players, the Beacons can continue to build. Consider it an avenue for the growth of emerging talent.
Malone, a freshman from South Dennis, looked sharp at home against Vermont State, even factoring a tough singles loss. She paired well with Chan in doubles in the same contest, then bounced back to win the Beacons’ only singles match against Simmons. Seeing more opportunity might not be the worst thing in the world for Malone.
The same goes for Rutkowski: the intense second-year impressed against Vermont State, flashing a strong forehand and a dialed-in attitude. There’s a lot to like even past the seniors and graduates on this squad.
UMass Boston is still in command of the LEC; it runs through them.
UPDATE: On Oct. 5, the women’s tennis team defeated Rhode Island College 5-4 in “what was their most competitive competition yet this season,” according to Beacon Athletics.
