UMass Boston’s men’s soccer team faced up against the Plymouth State Panthers for their Little East Conference opener on Saturday, Sept 21.
The Beacons and the Panthers have a long competitive past, dating all the way back to 1980, the two programs have met 47 times—UMass Boston trails their all-time series going 13-27-7.
This year, both the teams battled with adverse weather conditions—but that wasn’t the only storm the Panthers had to weather.
The Beacons and the Panthers started the game out roughly as they both tried, and failed, to net goals in the first half. Finally, it looked like freshman forward Eduardo Chirico was given a golden opportunity to score in the later part of the second half. He took a shot straight through the Panthers’ back line, but was quickly called offside.
The entire match saw both of the teams struggle to score, and the cut-throat match dissolved into an anticlimactic 0-0 draw.
For the Beacons side, freshman goalkeeper Andy Ramirez and senior goalkeeper JJ Devine shared the post. Ramirez guarded the goal post for the entirety of the first half, and then it was passed on to Devine. Both goalkeepers recorded just one save each.
The Beacons registered twice as many shots on the goal as compared to the Panthers’ two.
UMass Boston is getting better with every single match. This season, so far, has seen only one loss. Even in the matches that the Beacons are unable to win, they’ve managed to draw. The team has tied four matches so far, but only have registered two wins.
This is a testament of their commitment, they are fighting hard to win matches, it’s not all or nothing with this team. But teams that the Beacons were beating a year ago are inching closer, tying them in contests this year.
As the competition picks up their pace, the Beacons have to be doing the same. Their season started off very promising after winning their first two, but they can be seen slowly losing their momentum, Struggling to score and close out wins.
Draws can only get them so far, the LEC favorites are finding it hard to face off against their improved opponents. But they’ve learned from their faults and are hungry for a comeback.
These draws are pulling on the team’s confidence. But, no one bounces back like the Beacons. They have a lot of potential, and a series of matches left. Plenty of time to not only collect themselves, but get right and get back into the win column. However, they’ll have to do so in LEC play, as seven of their nine remaining matches are in conference contests. Their margin for error is thin through the next couple of weeks.
The team will be seen taking the field again against UMass Dartmouth on Wednesday, Oct 5. in North Dartmouth, MA. The Corsairs sat 1-5-1 as of UMass Boston’s tie with Plymouth State, and will play one more before their date with the Beacons. A great opportunity for a ‘get back game’.
