Massachusetts Daily Collegian

A free and responsible press serving the UMass community since 1890

A free and responsible press serving the UMass community since 1890

Massachusetts Daily Collegian

A free and responsible press serving the UMass community since 1890

Massachusetts Daily Collegian

UMass men’s soccer loses both ends of weekend tournament

The Massachusetts men’s soccer team got on the scoreboard for the first time this season on Sunday.

But still couldn’t find itself in the win column.

Taylor C. Snow/ Daily Collegian

The Minutemen (0-3-1) came up empty-handed in the Windjammer Classic in Burlington, Vt., this weekend, capped off by a 3-2 loss to Vermont to remain winless on the season.

UMass registered nine shots with a team-high four on goal, but couldn’t slow down the Catamounts offense, which beat goalkeeper Nick Ruiz three times on 12 shots despite finishing with five saves.

While the end result wasn’t ideal, UMass coach Sam Koch was pleased with his team’s improved offensive production.

“We finished our shots and we shot the ball more,” he said. “We were waiting for the perfect opportunity (in previous games) which just doesn’t happen, when you have a chance you have to take it.”

UMass maintained a lead for the majority of the first half after Josh Schwartz netted a goal in the 25th minute, but the Catamounts (3-0-1) scored a back-breaking goal off a corner kick just five seconds before halftime to knot the game at 1-1. A lapse in judgment by the young Minutemen spoiled a relatively clean first half.

“It was just a mismark on the corner kick which allowed their player to be wide open,” Koch said. “He never should’ve had an open header to begin with.”

Those types of mistakes were exactly what UMass was trying to avoid as it attempts to build upon strong spurts of play.

“We came out and played very well for 44 minutes and 45 seconds and short-circuited in the last 10 seconds,” Koch said. “We’re young and just make silly mistakes at times. The more mistakes we cut out, the better we’re gonna get.”

Momentum carried over in the second half for Vermont, as a Danny Childs’ goal in the 67th minute proved to be the go-ahead tally. Entering the game, the Minutemen had allowed only two goals in three games despite being outshot 56-25. UMass didn’t help its cause on Sunday, registering an own goal in the 84th minute resulting in Vermont’s third goal of the game.

Mark Morris scored his first career goal in the 87th minute on a shot that snuck under the crossbar, bringing the Minutemen within one. However, it was too little, too late.

Now, the Minutemen must work on sustaining success.

“We played two very good halves of soccer but unfortunately they were in different games,” Koch said. “That’s the way it will be for a while until we get used to each other more than we are and get used to the focus we have to keep to make sure we play at our best.”

UNH Prevails

UMass fared no better Friday afternoon, falling 1-0 to New Hampshire.

The lone goal of the contest came in the 18th minute when Christopher Wingate headed in a pass from Aaron Smith following a goal kick.

Geoff King/ Collegian File Photo

Entering the contest, Koch believed UNH would provide a “good test” for his squad while also mentioning this was the game his team would have to worry about.

Despite the loss, there were positives to be taken from the performance, especially the team’s play in the second half when Koch said his team “really took it” to the Wildcats.

“In the second half, I really thought we did what we needed to do,” he said. “Unfortunately, I don’t think UNH had as good a game as they could’ve against us.”

Still, Koch believes overall focus is the issue.

“We have to focus on making sure we’re doing the things we need to do and not worry about the opponent as much,” Koch said. “Unfortunately we weren’t able to focus on the whole 90 minutes to get the job done.”

As has been the case early in the season, the inconsistency can be contributed to the growing pains that come with a young team.

“It’s one part of the game, the mental part of the game, which I think is hard for young players to understand,” said Koch. “You have to focus all the time.”

Matt Bolduc continued his strong play, leading the team with two shots. Nick Ruiz also stood out, making seven saves.

Mark Chiarelli can be reached at [email protected] and followed on Twitter @Mark_Chiarelli.

 

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