UMass Edges Terriers

Withstand Late Rush to Hold on for Win

November 24, 2007

AMHERST, Mass. – Michael Jejna scored the eventual game-winner in the second half and the UMass defense – with a little help from the post – withstood some late charges from Boston University to give the Minutemen men’s soccer team a 2-1 win in the first round of the NCAA Tournament Friday.

Jejna scored in the 67th minute to give UMass what seemed like a commanding 2-0 lead over BU, but the Terriers halved the lead in the 87th minute and, with 40 seconds left, nearly tied it when Andrej Bjegovic faced an empty net. But Bjegovic’s shot hit the post and was cleared out of danger by Minutemen defender Kenny Cook, sealing the 2-1 win for UMass and earning the Minutemen a Wednesday date with No. 1 seed Boston College in the second round.

"I'm pleased with the result," UMass coach Sam Koch told UMass Athletics. "Like every game, you've got things to work on. We showed a few things we could do a little bit better, especially for the game on Wednesday. I'm pleased that we're here, very pleased that we're going to practice on Sunday. That was our goal, practice on Sunday, and now we have it"

UMass (14-7-1) scored first when Stuart Amick took a cross from Mark DeSantis on the left hand side of the goal box to beat BU keeper Hrafn Davidsson to the left post in the 24th minute of play.

In the second half, Jejna connected on a header to give UMass a 2-0 lead in the 67th minute. The Minutemen won a corner kick which Doug Rappaport placed on the near post which Cook redirected to Hogan at the back post.

The Terriers (9-7-4) fought hard to get back in the game during the second half outshooting UMass 12-5 in the frame. Derek Puerta scored his second goal of the season in the 87th minute to pull the Terriers back within a goal. His goal was set up when Boston University managed to place heavy pressure inside the UMass goal box. Samuel Appiah hit Puerta with a quick pass and he placed the ball inside the right post for the score.

In the final 40 seconds, Boston University managed three shots beginning with Bjegovic's which glanced off the post. UMass keeper Zack Simmons saved the other and the final shot with three seconds was blocked. Simmons finished the game with five saves, while Davidsson had three.

The game was a rematch of the Sept. 29 meeting between the two sides at Rudd Field which UMass won 1-0. The win improves UMass to 2-1 all-time in NCAA Tournament games and 7-1 this season at Rudd Field. This was the Minutemen's second berth to the NCAA Tournament in program history after winning the Atlantic 10 Tournament a week ago.

UMass will play BC this Wednesday at 7 p.m. at BC's Newton Campus Field.

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