Nov. 28, 2007

Box Score |  Quotes

NEWTON, Mass. - It will go down in history as one of the greatest wins in UMass soccer history as the Minutemen upended No. 1 Boston College 2-1 on Wednesday night at the Newton Campus Soccer Comple in front of 1,882 fans. It was the first win ever for UMass in the NCAA Second Round and the highest-ranked opponent ever to be defeated. Boston College scored first with a goal in the 18th minute, but Bryan Hogan and Mark DeSantis each netted second half goals to pull out the win. The Minutemen will now face Central Connecticut State in the NCAA Tournament Third Round. Gametime and location will be announced as soon as it is known.

The Eagles came out strong to start the first half and scored at the 17:14 mark of the period when Alejandro Bedoya took a feed from Sherron Manswell at the top of the 18-yard box. With the ball settled at his feet, Bedoya quickly spun to his left and sent a shot past UMass keeper Zack Simmons towards the right post.

Neither team could generate another goal in the first half and Boston College held a 6-to-4 shot advantage.

In the second half, UMass came out firing and hit the equalizer just five minutes and 15 seconds into the frame. Ben Arikian lifted a corner towards the near post and Kenny Cook headed towards the back where Hogan headed the goal inside the right post.

The Minutemen were aggressive on both sides of the ball controlling the passing lanes and generating dangerous opportunities towards the goal. Mark DeSantis pressured the BC defense and generated six total shots in the game.

It was on another corner kick at the 84:43 mark that UMass hit the game-winner. Doug Rappaport lifted a corner from the far touch line towards the center of the box where Mike DeSantis rushed the back post. DeSantis drove the ball inside the left post sending the UMass bench cheering.

Boston College regained possession in the final moments and carried the ball into their offensive zone, but the UMass defense stood tall denying the Eagles of a game-tying chance.