.png&type=webp){kind=icon}
.png&type=webp)
University of Massachusets Athletics
University of Massachusetts
7-4-5, 4-2-1
Davidson
9-3-1, 5-2-0
Minutemen Triumph Over Davidson On Senior Day
October 21, 2023 | Men's Soccer
Nick Zielonka and Alec Hughes led the way, posting all three goals
AMHERST, Mass. – The University of Massachusetts men's soccer team picked up a 3-1 win over the first place Davidson Wildcats on a rainy Saturday afternoon at Rudd Field. The Minutemen got goals from Nick Zielonka and Alec Hughes, who celebrated their Senior Day with six others. UMass improves to 7-4-5 (4-2-1 in Atlantic 10), while the Wildcats fall to 9-3-1 (5-2-0 in Atlantic 10).
The Wildcats jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the 11th minute after a penalty kick. Matt Zambetti took down Davidson's Vincent Bennage inside the box and Denis Krioutchenkov netted the set piece to give Davidson the advantage.
The Davidson lead however, wouldn't last. Ryan Levay chipped one into the box to Mike Willis, whose header found Nick Zielonka cutting to the left. Zielonka blasted a one timer with his left foot to even the game in the 28th minute.
After giving up the penalty kick, the Minuteman defense was stout, only giving up two shots and one corner in the first half.
Coming out of the break, the two teams played solid defense as there were no shots on net in 23 minutes of play. That was until Alec Hughes broke the deadlock in the 79th minute. Matt Zambetti booted a goal kick down the field, where Zielonka controlled the ball and flicked it to Hughes, who finished it off with his left foot. The assist was Zambetti's first of his career and had the Minutemen up 2-1.
Not too long after, Hughes was at it again. This time Willis sent a ball up the pitch, leaving Hughes one-on-one with the goalie. He chipped it in to give UMass a 3-1 advantage in the 85th minute. The tally was his 33rd of his career, tying him for fifth all-time in career goals at UMass.
In the closing minutes, Zambetti made a pair of saves to keep the UMass lead at two. He finished the day with three saves total, while Lou Liedtka of Davidson made two.
On Senior Day, the eight seniors/graduate students showed up big time. Zambetti and Levay had an assist each, while Willis assisted a pair of goals. Zielonka scored the first of the game and assisted one of Hughes' two goals. Jack Englebert and Michael Rojas played crucial roles in controlling the ball in the midfield, while Pierre de la Croix-Vaubois helped the backline hold Davidson to just five shots total.
UMass finished with a 12-5 shot advantage (5-4) and took four corners as Davidson took just one.
The Minutemen finish the regular season next Saturday as they head to Ohio for a 7 p.m. matchup with the Dayton Flyers.
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
Denis Krioutchenkov (6)
DAV Denis Krioutchenkov PENALTY KICK GOAL.
10:08
Nick Zielonka (5)
Assisted By: Mike Willis , Ryan Levay
GOAL by UMA Zielonka, Nick Assist by Willis, Mike and Levay, Ryan.
27:39
Alec Hughes (13)
Assisted By: Matt Zambetti , Nick Zielonka
GOAL by UMA Hughes, Alec Assist by Zambetti, Matt and Zielonka, Nick.
78:05
Alec Hughes (13)
Assisted By: Mike Willis
GOAL by UMA Hughes, Alec Assist by Willis, Mike.
84:16
