UMass Stuns No. 1 Seed Boston College

Advances Past Second Round for First Time

November 29, 2007

NEWTON, Mass. – Mark DeSantis took off as soon as Doug Rappaport hit the ball. As DeSantis watched Rappaport’s corner kick loft toward the center of the box, he rushed toward the back post. And when he connected, driving the ball inside the left post past Boston College goalkeeper Chris Brown, the players on the UMass bench erupted.

And why shouldn’t they? They might have won the biggest game in their program’s history.

The UMass men’s soccer team came back from a one-goal deficit and scored twice in the second half to stun No. 1 seed Boston College, 2-1, in what might be the biggest win in program history Wednesday night in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

UMass defender Doug Rappaport assisted on the game-winning goal Wednesday night. (Source: UMass Athletics)

Bryan Hogan tied the game on a corner kick play and DeSantis put UMass up for good on another, giving the Minutemen their first ever victory in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

Massachusetts will now face Central Connecticut State, which defeated Tulsa, 3-2, in third-round action the same evening.

Boston College scored first when ACC Offensive Player of the Year Alejandro Bedoya buried a Sherron Manswell feed in the 18th minute. Bedoya took a pass from Sherron Manswell at the top of the 18-yard box, settled, and quickly spun to his left, sending a shot past UMass goalkeeper Zack Simmons inside the right post.

UMass came out firing in the second half, playing with the passion that’s helped them go 13-3-1 since starting the season 2-4. Hogan hit the equalizer just 5:15 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 past BC goalie Chris Brown.

The Minutemen were aggressive on both sides of the ball controlling the passing lanes and generating dangerous opportunities towards the goal. They broke through again on another corner kick, this one at the 84:43 mark.

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.

Brown made a season-high nine saves for BC. Simmons registered four saves in net for UMass to earn his 15th win of the season.

Massachusetts (15-7-1) totaled a 14-12 advantage in shots, including a 10-6 edge in the second half.

BC concludes a season in which it captured the Atlantic Coast Conference regular season and tournament titles with a 15-5-1 record.

Game time and location for the Minutemen’s game with Central Conn will be announced later.

Return from UMass Stuns No. 1 Seed Boston College to College Soccer

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