PLYMOUTH, N.H. – Freshman goalkeeper
Bryant Amaral (Coventry, R.I.) made seven saves, but the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth converted two penalty kicks to help defeat Plymouth State University, 3-0, in a Little East Conference (LEC) men's soccer match at Arold Field on Saturday afternoon.
The Corsairs broke a scoreless deadlock in the final minute of the first half, converting a penalty kick to take a 1-0 lead into halftime.
Plymouth State created several promising chances after the break, but the match remained close until the final five minutes, when UMass Dartmouth converted a second penalty kick and added a late goal on a counterattack to secure the win.
Plymouth State falls to 6-6-1 (2-4-0 LEC), while the Corsairs move to 6-5-3 (3-2-2 LEC).
The Basics:
- Plymouth State 0, UMass Dartmouth 3
- Plymouth State (6-6-1, 2-4-0 LEC)
- UMass Dartmouth (6-5-3, 3-2-2 LEC)
How it Happened:
- UMass Dartmouth came out aggressively, earning three corner kicks in the opening five minutes. The Corsairs also recorded the first shot on goal, but Amaral dove to his right to punch the attempt away.
- UMD continued to apply pressure and created another scoring chance when a cross was redirected toward goal, but Amaral was well-positioned to make the save.
- Freshman Michael Mezzetti (Lake Placid, N.Y.) made an immediate impact off the bench, drawing a foul. Moments later, he headed a pass from classmate Mohammed Ayari (Lynnfield, Mass.) toward goal, but the attempt was stopped.
- UMass Dartmouth threatened again in the 31st minute with a free kick from just outside the box. Amaral came up with another save, stopping the shot after a bounce to keep the match scoreless.
- The Corsairs broke through in the final minute of the half, drawing a penalty in the box and converting the ensuing kick to take a 1-0 lead into halftime.
- Plymouth State pushed for an equalizer after the break. Sophomore Luke McLaughlin (Topsham, Maine) created a scoring opportunity with a long throw into the box that junior Rowan McCarthy (Pepperell, Mass.) headed toward goal, but the attempt was stopped.
- Amaral continued to keep the Panthers within reach, stopping a Corsairs header off a corner kick.
- With fewer than five minutes remaining, UMass Dartmouth doubled its lead by converting a second penalty after a handball in the box.
- Plymouth State pushed players forward in search of a goal, but the Corsairs countered on a breakaway to add the final score with just a couple of minutes remaining.
By the Numbers:
- Amaral made seven saves, his second-highest total in a match this season.
- McCarthy has played every minute of the season for the Panthers.
- UMass Dartmouth held a 15-9 advantage in shots.
- All three goals came in the final five minutes of a half.
- Plymouth State had been 14-3-2 at home against the Corsairs.
Up Next:
- Plymouth State hosts UMaine Farmington for a Senior Day contest on Wednesday (Oct. 21) at 3 p.m.
– 30 –
