Nick Casale of the Daily Collegian delves into the recent play of redshirt freshman goalkeeper Taylor Culp and freshman defender Matthew Mooney.
Success in the sports world is calculated by the number in the wins column opposed. However, the formula used to calculate the future success of any team requires a far more sophisticated, yet inexact science.
By looking strictly at the Massachusetts men's soccer team's record (2-12-1) it's easy to overlook how those individual components are gelling within the larger context of the team.
In Sunday's game against Fordham, the synergy of the young team was apparent as two freshmen - goalkeeper Taylor Culp and defender Matthew Mooney - stepped up and proved to be instrumental in the win.
Since arriving at UMass, Mooney has stepped into the starting lineup and played predominantly at left fullback. While his duties are mainly defensive, he also gives the Minutemen an option on the wing from overlapping runs and intelligent movement when UMass is in possession.
Against the Rams on Sunday, he found himself near goal in the 20th minute when ball bounced outside the box. He settled it and fired a shot off the post for his first collegiate goal, and put the Minutemen up 2-0.
"It was a good feeling and it was definitely a confidence booster for me," Mooney said. "To be honest, the goal came as a surprise, but I just found myself in a good position and I was able to finish."
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