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UMass hosts Central Connecticut State Sunday at Rudd Field. (Source: UMass Athletics) |
The Blue Devils (10-8-3) knocked off 16th-seeded Tulsa, 3-2, that same day to push their unbeaten streak to nine games.
But UMass is just as hot and, after a slow 2-4 start to the season, the Minutemen have gone 13-3-1 with nine shutouts. Included in that run were wins at then-No. 12 Saint Louis, a 1-0 win over two-time defending A-10 Champion Rhode Island in the A-10 Tournament, and a 2-1 win over Boston University in the NCAA First Round.
Then, on Wednesday, the Minutemen used a dominating second half to overcome a 1-0 halftime deficit for the historic win at Boston College. Bryan Hogan and Mike DeSantis each scored goals in the period. Hogan scored within the first five minutes of the second half, while DeSantis nailed the game-winner with under five minutes remaining in the game.
It was Hogan and DeSantis who lead UMass offensively all season, scoring with 14 and 12 points, respectively. Hogan has six goals and two assists, while DeSantis has four goals and four assists. Hogan is the team's top scorer for the second year of his career.
Defense, however, is where the Minutemen made their stamp this season, pitching nine shutouts and allowing just 18 goals - the fewest since the 1979 squad allowed 13. Zack Simmons has been the keeper of record for the season playing every minute between the posts. He boasts a 0.76 goals-against-average, a .851 save percentage and, this season, set the program's all-time shutout leader with his 23rd career clean sheet.
In front of him is an experienced and veteran defensive row anchored by three-time All-Conference selection senior Kenny Cook. In the centerback positions, Cook and redshirt junior Chris Brown solidify the four-man unit with Rappaport and sophomore Dan Lepone manning the flanks.
Defensively, Paul Armstrong is the Blue Devil's top keeper and has similar numbers to UMass' Zack Simmons. Armstrong has a 0.76 goals against average and a .860 save percentage. He has pitched seven shutouts and has a 10-6-2 win record.
Offensively, CCSU is led by Yan Klukowski and Christopher Brown. Klukowski leads the team with five goals and eight assists, while Brown is second with five goals and one assist.
The Blue Devils set the bar for future CCSU men’s sides this season, becoming the first men’s soccer team to win its conference, advance to the tournament, win a tournament game, then win a second round contest.
They’ll have to continue the run at Rudd Field, though, where UMass is 35-16-5 since the facility opened in 2002. This season, the Minutemen pitched four shutouts at Rudd, while allowing just six goals and posted a 7-1-0 record.
The winner of Sunday’s match advances to the fourth round of NCAA Tournament against the winner of the Illinois-Chicago/No. 8 Creighton match. That game will determine who goes on to the 2007 NCAA Men's Soccer College Cup hosted in Cary, N.C.
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