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University of Massachusets Athletics
Hughes Takes Home USL2 Yearly Honors, Hersi Nets Championship Game-Winner
August 07, 2024 | Men's Soccer
AMHERST, Mass. – Graduate forwards Alec Hughes and Bilal Hersi shined in the USL League Two this summer, with Hughes securing himself two pieces of USL2 hardware earning the league's Player of The Year and Golden Boot awards in addition to Hersi notching the game-winning goal for Seacoast United in the USL League Two Championship.
Hughes netted a league-high 17 goals in 14 appearances for the Western Mass Pioneers, leading the team to a second-place finish in the Northeast Division. The 22-year-old tallied a goal in five of the Pioneers' first six games, featuring three consecutive braces. Hughes blazed his way to a 22-minute hat trick against Boston City FC on June 21.
Just five minutes into extra time with Peoria City and Seacoast United tied at 2-2, Hersi scored his first goal of the season by curling one near post to take the lead. The Phantoms held on to the 3-2 lead, winning the USL League Two Final for the first time in the club's history.
Across four seasons in Amherst, Hughes has notched 35 goals for the Minutemen to rank fifth in all-time scoring for the program. He led the offense during the 2023 campaign with a team-high 15 goals and 31 points. The UMass forward earned Atlantic 10 and ECAC Offensive Player of the Year honors for his efforts in addition to All-America Third Team, United Soccer Coaches All-Southeast Region Second Team, Top Drawer Soccer Midseason Top 100 List, and an invitation to the 2023 MLS College Showcase.
Hersi joins the Minutemen after four years at Siena College. During his tenure with the Saints, Bilal started 44 games in 60 appearances to log 12 goals, eight assists, and 32 points. The graduate forward earned Third Team All-MAAC in 2023 and Second Team All-MAAC the year prior. Hersi also brings abundant experience on the national scene, playing for the Somalian U-20 National team in addition to competing in the 2022 and 2023 Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers.
Hughes netted a league-high 17 goals in 14 appearances for the Western Mass Pioneers, leading the team to a second-place finish in the Northeast Division. The 22-year-old tallied a goal in five of the Pioneers' first six games, featuring three consecutive braces. Hughes blazed his way to a 22-minute hat trick against Boston City FC on June 21.
Just five minutes into extra time with Peoria City and Seacoast United tied at 2-2, Hersi scored his first goal of the season by curling one near post to take the lead. The Phantoms held on to the 3-2 lead, winning the USL League Two Final for the first time in the club's history.
Across four seasons in Amherst, Hughes has notched 35 goals for the Minutemen to rank fifth in all-time scoring for the program. He led the offense during the 2023 campaign with a team-high 15 goals and 31 points. The UMass forward earned Atlantic 10 and ECAC Offensive Player of the Year honors for his efforts in addition to All-America Third Team, United Soccer Coaches All-Southeast Region Second Team, Top Drawer Soccer Midseason Top 100 List, and an invitation to the 2023 MLS College Showcase.
Hersi joins the Minutemen after four years at Siena College. During his tenure with the Saints, Bilal started 44 games in 60 appearances to log 12 goals, eight assists, and 32 points. The graduate forward earned Third Team All-MAAC in 2023 and Second Team All-MAAC the year prior. Hersi also brings abundant experience on the national scene, playing for the Somalian U-20 National team in addition to competing in the 2022 and 2023 Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers.
Players Mentioned
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