Minutemen Commence New Era With 3-2 Win Over Siena

AMHERST, Mass. -- The Minutemen (1-0) kicked off a new era of Massachusetts soccer in the right way; claiming a 3-2 win in their home opener against Siena (0-1) on Thursday afternoon.

Senior defenders Aidan Kelly and Alex Brown each tallied a score for UMass in addition to graduate transfer JP Mbuthia netting his first goal in the Maroon and White. Kelly, Mbuthia, Shane Velez, and freshman Thomas Wadas all tallied assists for the Minutemen to help pace an aggressive offensive front.

Breaking Down The Action

Siena came out of the gates aggressive, scoring the first goal of the game courtesy of Campbell Stalker.
In pursuit of a quick equalizer, Thomas Wadas, Ivan Vrh, and Matt Cence fired quality looks off three consecutive Massachusetts attacks but were unable to find net.
Determined attacking play by the Minutemen earned themselves four corner kicks in the span of five minutes of game clock.
Aidan Kelly knotted the game at 1-1 in the 20th minute, sending a shot to the back post from a Wadas and JP Mbuthia assist.
Massachusetts would find a groove in the possession game, working their way to two corners and two shots in the following 14 minutes before Siena could build up another set piece.
Neither side could take the lead as the first half came to a close, ending the first 45 in a 1-1 stalemate.
UMass carried its attacking mindset into the second half, as Magnús Ingi Halldórsson fired a shot on goal in the 48th minute that was saved by Bennet Glinder.
Alex Brown broke the tie in minute 54, cleaning up a centering header by Kelly to make it a 2-1 score.
The Minutemen almost doubled the lead no more than 20 seconds later, as stout keeping by Glinder halted the scoring attempt by Wadas.
Mbuthia netted a goal in his Massachusetts debut after finishing a deflection by Shane Velez at 71:44. A much-needed insurance score that would end up being the game-winning tally.
Siena could find its second wind in the final 15 minutes of regulation, reaping the benefits of a recharged attack in the form of a 77th-minute goal by Miguel Plaza.
The Saints would earn two additional corners, but solid defending and quality clock management by the Minutemen would secure the 3-2 victory.

Up Next
Massachusetts hits the road to take on UConn in Storrs, Conn. on Sunday, Aug. 24. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. with action streaming on UConn+.

Scoreboard

Players Mentioned

Alex Brown

Matt Cence

Aidan Kelly

JP Mbuthia

Shane Velez

Ivan Vrh

Thomas Wadas

Scoreboard

University of Massachusets Athletics