Despite scoring first for the second consecutive game, the Massachusetts soccer team tied against Holy Cross in its final non-conference game of the season 1-1. This marks the fifth game in UMass’ (4-3-4, 0-1-0 Summit League) winless streak, with this draw against the Crusaders (3-4-4, 0-1-2 Patriot League) being its third tie during this stretch.
The Minutemen struck first, hitting the back of the net in the 37th minute. As UMass prepared for a set piece sent in from graduate student Matt Fordham, Shane Velez found a chance with possession of the ball, going bar down for his third goal of the season.
As Holy Cross started the second half down a goal, they became more aggressive on offense. While only having one shot during the first half, the home squad attempted five during the second with two shots on goal.
Within the first five minutes of the second half, as the ball was sent down by the Minutemen’s net, it was a footrace between Crusaders’ freshman Archie Hatcher and UMass goalie Alex Geczy.
Hatcher had a clear path to the net as Geczy couldn’t grab the ball on a slide and struck nylon with a kick. Hatcher scored his third goal of the season and second in the last three games. Luke Myers earned his second assist in the last three games from that play.
In the 83rd minute, the Minutemen hoped to take a late lead with the score knotted at one goal apiece. Velez had a game-winning goal lined up in the box but couldn’t execute as he headed the ball over the net, giving possession back to Holy Cross.
Through the introductory 30 minutes of the game, neither team had a shot on goal. Kyle Martell shot the first one on goal in the match for the Crusaders but couldn’t find the back of the net.
Holy Cross had zero corner kick chances while UMass had six in the first half alone. The Minutemen entered the game ranked No. 3 in the Summit League in corner kicks, behind only Delaware and Kansas City.
The second half was a completely different story as UMass didn’t have any corner kicks after the first 20 minutes and only two during the remainder of the game.
Julian Beban was assessed with a yellow card after Minutemen senior Matt Cence drew contact in the 52nd minute of the game. Between the 79th minute and 90th minute of regulation, UMass’ Aaron O’Malley and the Crusaders’ Jeb Snead earned yellow cards.
Coming into the game, Holy Cross was second to last in the Patriot League for yellow cards called against them and the Minutemen were No. 4 in the Summit League.
While UMass had half as many yellow cards as its opponent, they committed more than double the amount of fouls. While the Crusaders only committed two fouls in the second half, the Minutemen were whistled for nine. This is the second game in a row in which UMass has committed more fouls than its opponent.
Looking forward, the Minutemen return to Rudd Field for homecoming weekend, hosting Denver in Amherst for the first time in history. The last time these two last met, UMass fell short, losing 3-0 in the quarterfinals of the 2024 NCAA tournament.
Kickoff for the match is scheduled for 12 p.m. on Oct. 4 and can be watched live on the Summit League Network.
Jonathan Murgida can be reached at [email protected] and followed on twitter @jonathanmurgida
