The Massachusetts men’s soccer team (3-5-3, 0-0-2 Atlantic 10) seems to be stuck in a slump.
The defense is doing its job, grinding out 90-minutes with the opposition and keeping the score close. The Minutemen have allowed only two goals in the last three contests but failed to pick up a win, tying 1-1 twice this past weekend at Saint Joseph’s and Temple. The loss came on the road, 1-0 at Boston University on Sept. 28.
Ironically, the heart of the problem lies in the very philosophy that has helped keep UMass competitive for the last five years.
With a young team comprised of 17 underclassman and two seniors, UMass plays an extremely defensive-minded game, designed to slow down opposing offenses and create a relatively low number of quality scoring opportunities.
By trapping teams in their defensive zone, the Minutemen have enjoyed successful seasons, banking on the fact that forced turnovers create immediate scoring chances.
The problem with this year’s team is that only two players seem to use the pressing style of UMass’ defense to their advantage.
Luckily for the Maroon and White, offensive midfielder Robby Charest and senior forward Oral Bullen have utilized the wide area of open space created by a team unwilling to compromise its defensive position by streaking non-forwards up field.
Bullen and Charest, two of the smaller and faster players, have been able to chase down clearing passes and convert them into scoring chances.
This was exemplified in UMass’ 4-2 victory over Siena on Sept. 17. Midway through the second half, goalie Colin Burns booted a goal kick across midfield where Matty LeMire headed it into the offensive zone. Bullen gave chase and beat the Siena defense to the ball, setting up a one-on-one opportunity with the goalie.
By out running the defense, Bullen and Charest have a combined 14 points on five goals and two assists apiece – compared to the rest of the team, which has managed to accumulate only 20 points over the first 11 games.
The end result of the unbalanced scoring has been seen over the last few games, when opposing teams began blanketing Charest and Bullen with one and sometimes two defenders.
If the Minutemen are going to make a run for the conference title, they must find alternative ways to score. LeMire, with two goals, is the only player other than Bullen and Charest to have more than one goal. He has utilized his strong leg to record a pair of scores that came off shots from beyond the box.
LeMire created scoring chances from far enough out that he didn’t compromise his defensive responsibility as a midfielder; yet still put pressure on the other team. This adjustment was a necessary movement away from the two-pronged attack of Bullen and Charest.
The major concern about UMass’ defense is that it requires a large amount of physical contact. While effective, the Minutemen are often called for penalties. On Sunday, UMass received four yellow cards and on Sept. 19 lost starting defender Tim Kitchell for most of the Harvard game and the entire New Hampshire game, after the junior was red-carded for cleating a downed player.
When calls have gone their way, the Maroon and White have been unable to capitalize. Sunday, Chad Baker of Temple was handed a red card for unsportsmanlike conduct. The infraction put the Minutemen at a decisive advantage by forcing the Owls to play man down for the final 16 minutes of overtime.
Despite the extra attacker, UMass did not record a single shot in 20 minutes of OT and only mustered one quality scoring opportunity that came when Richie Higa sailed a shot over the crossbar.
The Minutemen will look to get their offense cranking on Friday, when they travel to face A-10 rival Richmond. UMass coach Sam Koch will search for his 150th win from behind the Massachusetts bench.
