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 falls 2-0 vs. Colgate

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(Judith Gibson-Okunieff/Daily Collegian)

 

With two games now in the books for 2016, the Massachusetts men’s soccer team is still seeking its first goal. The Minutemen (0-2) once again failed to score in their 2-0 loss to Colgate Sunday afternoon in Hamilton, New York.

UMass’ offense looked sluggish all game as it mustered only two shots in the second half (seven total), as the Raiders finished with 22 on the day. A pair of second half scores from the Colgate’s (2-0) Ethan Kutler and Kentaro Morrison were all it would need for the win.

Much like in their  3-0 defeat against No. 6 Syracuse to open the season, the Minutemen played the Raiders to an even draw over the first 45 minutes. However, UMass’ chances were few and far between as its first shot was until the 12-minute, 58 second-mark. Raider’s goalkeeper Ricky Brown finished with three saves.

Colgate had opportunities to score early on, but senior UMass goalie Jorge Becerra (nine saves) made a series of nice saves to keep it even.  Becerra had several close calls from corner kicks and headers, but the offense couldn’t generate any momentum.

The second half began just as the first had; slowly. Neither team had a chance until the 57th minute, when a cross and subsequent header Kutler just missed over the crossbar. This turned out to be an omen as five minutes later, from an extremely tough angle down by the left post, he fired a rocket past Becerra to make it 1-0. The senior striker was named Colgate’s preseason offensive player of the year, and for good reason. His two goals in the team’s only two games have propelled the Raiders to an undefeated start.

Just 85 seconds later, Morrison netted a beautiful, curving shot from the top left corner of the box to double the deficit. Morrison, from Tokyo, Japan, scored his first collegiate goal in just his second game. No more was needed for Colgate to close out a win.

The Minutemen will look to enter the win column with their home opener against Saint Peter’s Saturday at 3 p.m.

Henry Brechter can be reached at [email protected].

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