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University of Massachusets Athletics
Friday, August 25
Amherst, Mass.
4 p.m.
University of Massachusetts
1-0-0
2
vs
1
St. Francis
0-1-0
1
2
F
St. Francis
1
0
1
Massachusetts
1
1
2
Men's Soccer Earns 2-1 Win To Open Season
August 25, 2017 | Men's Soccer
Brandon Merklin, Mike Rita tally goals for the Minutemen.
AMHERST, Mass. - In his first collegiate match, freshman forward Mike Rita made his first goal count as the game-winner giving the UMass men's soccer team a 2-1 win over St. Francis on Friday afternoon at Rudd Field. After both teams tallied markers in the first half, Rita was able to connect on a long cross in the second half giving the Minutemen their first victory of the season.
The opening win came against a tough St. Francis squad that comes off an NCAA Tournament appearance in 2016. Last year, the Terriers pitched 11 shutouts, including nine straight to reach the NCAA tourney, and conceded multiple goals only twice during the year.
Brandon Merklin opened the scoring for UMass in the 18th minute when he headed home a cross lofted from the right flank by Henry Steinkamp. Eight minutes later, St. Francis equalized on a header by Federico Curbelo off a corner kick service sending the match into halftime knotted at 1-1.
Coming out of the break, UMass looked to push the tempo early with the first three shots and two corner kicks of the stanza. In the 55th minute, Rita drove down the far flank where Alex DeSantis sent a cross-field pass that landed right on his foot for the easy redirect goal.
Both teams continued to play phsyical throughout the balance of the second half, but a red card issued to the Terriers in the 75th minute forced St. Francis to play a man down for the final 15 of play.
The Minutemen were able to control possession late in the half working the sidelines and corners to run out the clock for the victory.
For the match, UMass held a 21-to-6 shot advantage and a 5-to-4 edge in corner kicks.
UMass keeper Bardia Asefnia was pressed into making just one save on the day, while his counterpart Roberto Bazzichetto made four saves.
For complete coverage of the UMass men's soccer team, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook at @UMassMSoccer and online at www.UMassAthletics.com
The opening win came against a tough St. Francis squad that comes off an NCAA Tournament appearance in 2016. Last year, the Terriers pitched 11 shutouts, including nine straight to reach the NCAA tourney, and conceded multiple goals only twice during the year.
Brandon Merklin opened the scoring for UMass in the 18th minute when he headed home a cross lofted from the right flank by Henry Steinkamp. Eight minutes later, St. Francis equalized on a header by Federico Curbelo off a corner kick service sending the match into halftime knotted at 1-1.
Coming out of the break, UMass looked to push the tempo early with the first three shots and two corner kicks of the stanza. In the 55th minute, Rita drove down the far flank where Alex DeSantis sent a cross-field pass that landed right on his foot for the easy redirect goal.
Both teams continued to play phsyical throughout the balance of the second half, but a red card issued to the Terriers in the 75th minute forced St. Francis to play a man down for the final 15 of play.
The Minutemen were able to control possession late in the half working the sidelines and corners to run out the clock for the victory.
For the match, UMass held a 21-to-6 shot advantage and a 5-to-4 edge in corner kicks.
UMass keeper Bardia Asefnia was pressed into making just one save on the day, while his counterpart Roberto Bazzichetto made four saves.
For complete coverage of the UMass men's soccer team, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook at @UMassMSoccer and online at www.UMassAthletics.com
Team Stats
SFBK
UMASS
Goals
1
2
Shots
6
21
Shots on Goal
2
6
Saves
4
1
Corners
4
5
Fouls
20
13
Scoring Plays
MERKLIN, Brandon (1)
Assisted By: STEINKAMP, Henry
header
17:34
TALEB, Faouzi (1)
Assisted By: CURBELO, Federico
header into far postoff corner kick
25:31
RITA, Mike (1)
Assisted By: DESANTIS, Alex , MOONEY, Matthew
redirected into far post from left flank
54:24
Game Leaders
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
5
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
1
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
1
Players Mentioned
GK
/ Men's Soccer
F
/ Men's SoccerD
/ Men's SoccerM
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