Men's Soccer Falls to UMass Boston in Double Overtime, 1-0

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. – The UMass Boston men's soccer team continued its impressive start to the 2015 season as the Beacons posted a dramatic 1-0 double overtime victory over host Bridgewater State University on Wednesday night at Swenson Field.

The visiting Beacons, ranked fourth in New England, remain unbeaten on the season as they improve to 9-0. UMass has outscored its opponents, 30-4, over the first nine games. The Bears slip to 7-2 overall as they see their seven-game winning streak come to an end.

Senior forward Pedro Dasilva (Fogo, Cape Verde) potted the game-winning goal with just 3:12 remaining in the second overtime period. Dasilva collected a short the pass from classmate Elton Teixeira (Fogo, Cape Verde) inside the 18 and beat the BSU keeper with a shot inside the far post. Sophomore midfielder Joshua Khang (Brockton, Mass.) also assisted on the goal.

Both teams had quality scoring opportunities throughout the contest.

BSU freshman forward Filipe Gomes (Boston, Mass.) had the Bears' best chance in the first half on a direct kick in the ninth minute. Gomes ripped a shot from 25 yards out that was turned aside on an outstanding diving stop by UMass senior netminder Alfonso Rosales (Revere, Mass.). Rosales also made a sprawling save on a Kevin Sosa (Norwalk, Conn.) shot with less than two minutes remaining in the opening stanza.

The Beacons rang the crossbar twice in the first half. Teixeira hit the bar in the 35th minute, while freshman forward Mohamed Kenawy (Revere, Mass.) knocked one off the pipe with less than 30 seconds showing on the clock.

UMass held the edge in play for most of the second half as the Beacons outshot the Bears, 7-3. BSU junior goaltender Colin Jepson (Sandwich, Mass.) pushed one over the crossbar following a shot by Kenawy in the 68th minute. Jepson also stoned junior forward Edmilson Barros (Praia, Cape Verde) twice in the final four minutes of regulation.

Rosales stopped Gomes with the only shot either keeper faced in the first overtime session. He also made a brilliant diving stop on a scoring bid by senior forward Conor Murtagh (Walpole, Mass.) less than three minutes into the second overtime period. On the ensuing corner kick, senior forward Patrick Horgan (Plymouth, Mass.) headed the ball just wide of the left post.

For the game, UMass held a 21-13 edge in shots as well as a 9-2 advantage in corner kicks.

Rosales finished with five saves as he recorded his fifth win and third shutout of the 2015 campaign. Jepson turned aside seven shots in the setback for the Bears.

Both teams are back in action with conference games on Saturday. The Bears entertain Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) rival Framingham State University at 10:00 AM, while the Beacons travel to UMass Dartmouth for a one o'clock Little East Conference game with the Corsairs.