University of Massachusets Athletics
Monday, August 29
Amherst, Mass.
4 PM
University of Massachusetts
1-0-1, 0-0-0
4
vs
0
Sacred Heart
0-2-0, 0-0-0
1
2
F
Sacred Heart
0
0
0
Massachusetts
4
0
4
Minutemen Record Shutout Win Over Sacred Heart In Home Opener
August 29, 2022 | Men's Soccer
UMass scored all four of its goals in the opening 34 minutes of the home opener.
AMHERST, Mass. – The University of Massachusetts men's soccer team scored four first half goals on its way to a 4-0 shutout win over Sacred Heart on Monday at Rudd Field in the home opener. The Minutemen continue non-conference play on Saturday at Rudd Field with a 1 p.m. kickoff against Boston College.
Evan Fournier put the Minutemen on the scoreboard early in the seventh minute off a free kick from near midfield. Fournier played a left footed ball in towards the box that sailed over the Sacred Heart keeper and into goal to put UMass on top, 1-0. Fournier was key in the second goal for the Minutemen as he took a free kick from near the same spot as the opening goal, sending in a ball towards goal that was headed by a Pioneer defender into goal.
Nick Zielonka scored his second goal in as many games in the 23rd-minute as he raced to the far post for a sliding strike to put the Minutemen ahead 3-0. Alec Hughes got the action going by getting past his defender on the left side and playing a ball wide of the keeper to a streaking Zielonka.
Sefunmi Taiwo added the fourth and final goal for the Minutemen in the 34th-minute to bring it to a 4-0 final. The freshman scored his first collegiate goal with a right-footed shot that made it through the defense off the corner kick from Shizu Yohena.
Matt Zambetti and Alex Geczy combined for the shutout in goal for the Minutemen, each finishing with a pair of saves on the afternoon. Sacred Heart attempted seven of its eight shots on the match in the second half while the Minutemen recorded 11 of its 12 shots in the first 45 minutes with seven on target.
For complete coverage of the UMass men's soccer team, follow the Minutemen on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook at @UMassMSoccer and online at www.UMassAthletics.com.
Evan Fournier put the Minutemen on the scoreboard early in the seventh minute off a free kick from near midfield. Fournier played a left footed ball in towards the box that sailed over the Sacred Heart keeper and into goal to put UMass on top, 1-0. Fournier was key in the second goal for the Minutemen as he took a free kick from near the same spot as the opening goal, sending in a ball towards goal that was headed by a Pioneer defender into goal.
Nick Zielonka scored his second goal in as many games in the 23rd-minute as he raced to the far post for a sliding strike to put the Minutemen ahead 3-0. Alec Hughes got the action going by getting past his defender on the left side and playing a ball wide of the keeper to a streaking Zielonka.
Sefunmi Taiwo added the fourth and final goal for the Minutemen in the 34th-minute to bring it to a 4-0 final. The freshman scored his first collegiate goal with a right-footed shot that made it through the defense off the corner kick from Shizu Yohena.
Matt Zambetti and Alex Geczy combined for the shutout in goal for the Minutemen, each finishing with a pair of saves on the afternoon. Sacred Heart attempted seven of its eight shots on the match in the second half while the Minutemen recorded 11 of its 12 shots in the first 45 minutes with seven on target.
For complete coverage of the UMass men's soccer team, follow the Minutemen on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook at @UMassMSoccer and online at www.UMassAthletics.com.
Team Stats
SHU
UMA
Goals
0
4
Shots
8
12
Shots on Goal
4
8
Saves
4
4
Corners
7
4
Fouls
18
21
Scoring Plays
Evan Fournier (2)
GOAL by UMA Fournier, Evan.
06:43
Evan Fournier (2)
GOAL by UMA Fournier, Evan.
16:28
Nick Zielonka (2)
Assisted By: Alec Hughes
GOAL by UMA Zielonka, Nick Assist by Hughes, Alec.
22:43
Sefunmi Taiwo (1)
Assisted By: Shizu Yohena
GOAL by UMA Taiwo, Sefunmi Assist by Yohena, Shizu.
33:28
Game Leaders
Players
Shots
4
SOG
2
Goals
2
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
1
Players Mentioned
D/M
/ Men's Soccer
GK
/ Men's SoccerF
/ Men's SoccerF
/ Men's Soccer
M
/ Men's Soccer
GK
/ Men's SoccerM/F
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