University of Massachusets Athletics
University of Massachusetts
La Salle*
UMass Blanks La Salle 1-0 On Billittier Goal
October 23, 2005 | Men's Soccer
Oct. 23, 2005
AMHERST, Mass. - Senior Ernie Billittier (Mundelein, Ill.) blasted home a shot from 15-yards out six minutes and 36 seconds into the game and the Minuteman defense stood strong as UMass blanked La Salle 1-0 on Sunday afternoon at Rudd Field. The win was UMass' first in Atlantic 10 play and keeps the Minutemen's conference tournament hopes alive entering next weekend's two game homestand.
La Salle (6-7-3, 3-2-1 A-10) entered the match as the third rank team in the Atlantic 10. Losses on Sunday for Fordham, George Washington, and St. Bonaventure - all ranked just above UMass (5-9-1, 1-3-1 A-10) in the conference standings - improves the Minutemen's chances of making the six-team postseason tournament field.
Billittier scored in the seventh minute of action as he came streaking down the left flank and unloaded a shot from 15 yards out that snuck inside the left post past a diving Andrew Bernhard. The play was set up by senior co-captain Oral Bullen (Brooklyn, N.Y.) on the right side of the field with a touch pass to junior Jason Scudamore (Shaker Heights, Ohio) who crossed the ball in front of Billittier.
The goal was the first of the season and the fourth of his career for Billittier who was hampered earlier this season missing five games early in the season due to an ankle injury. Scudamore posted his second assist in as many games as he helped set-up freshman Costa Tsolirides (Dedham, Mass.) in Friday's game.
La Salle controlled possession for much of the game and outshot UMass 10-to-7 for the game including an 8-to-4 advantage in the first half. The Explorers had several close range opportunities throughout play, but UMass keeper Zack Simmons (Durham, N.H.) made six saves. Simmons posted a career-high on Friday against George Washington with 13 saves to give him 19 for the weekend.
Sophomore Kenny Cook (Fairport, N.Y.) anchored the UMass defensive backs which forced La Salle to take the bulk of its shots from outside the 18-yard box and cleared away the Explorers opportunities on corner kicks and set-piece direct kicks.
UMass will host Atlantic 10 newcomer Charlotte on Friday at 2:30 p.m. at Rudd Field before closing the home schedule against Richmond on Sunday. The Minutemen will honor seniors Oral Bullen, Ernie Billittier and Craig Canavan (Chicopee, Mass.) on Sunday prior to kick-off which is slated for 1:00 p.m. Admission is free to all!
