UMass Men's Soccer Triumphs with a 5-2 Rout Against St. Bonaventure

In a thrilling showdown in Western New York, the University of Massachusetts men's soccer team delivered a dominant performance, triumphing 5-2 against St. Bonaventure. Led by the impressive displays of Alec Hughes and Nick Zielonka, who each netted braces, the Minutemen showcased their prowess on the field. This victory marked UMass's highest-scoring game since 2019 when they defeated CCSU with a score of 6-0. Let's dive into the details of this exciting match and the standout player, Marco Rojas.

A Fast-Paced Start

The game kicked off with UMass asserting control over possession in the initial minutes. However, it was St. Bonaventure who drew first blood, with Kenzo Brito finding the net on a counterattack in the 12th minute. This early setback set the stage for an exhilarating contest.

Nick Zielonka's Equalizer

As the first half progressed, Alec Hughes earned a crucial free-kick just outside the 18-yard box. It was Nick Zielonka who stepped up to take the shot, expertly placing it in the bottom left corner to level the score at 1-1 in the 32nd minute.

Goalkeeper Heroics

Both teams continued to press forward, creating numerous opportunities. St. Bonaventure's Daniel Helle attempted to chip the ball over UMass goalkeeper Matt Zambetti in the 40th minute, but Zambetti made a remarkable save to keep the game tied.

Second-Half Drama

The second half brought even more excitement, with both teams coming close to taking the lead. In the 47th minute, St. Bonaventure's cross threatened the UMass defense, but Umechi Akuazaoku failed to capitalize. Just two minutes later, Nick Zielonka fed a pass to Alec Hughes, whose shot was expertly saved by Bonnies goalkeeper Jules Dechert.

Alec Hughes Takes the Lead

In the 62nd minute, UMass was awarded a penalty after Michael Rojas was brought down in the box. Alec Hughes confidently converted the penalty kick, notching his conference-leading tenth goal of the season and giving UMass a 2-1 advantage.

Nick Zielonka's Brace

The Minutemen extended their lead in the 70th minute when Mike Willis earned another penalty. This time, it was Nick Zielonka who stepped up and calmly buried the penalty kick, making it 3-1 and completing his first career brace.

Goalkeeping Excellence Continues

St. Bonaventure had a chance to narrow the gap in the 77th minute as Daniel Helle found himself one-on-one with Matt Zambetti. However, Zambetti turned away his shot with one of his three crucial saves of the night.

Alec Hughes Makes History

Alec Hughes completed his brace in the 80th minute, thanks to a brilliant assist from Shane Velez. This goal propelled Hughes into 7th place on the all-time career goals list, surpassing Dave Siljanovski (1993-96) with 31 goals.

Mike Willis Seals the Victory

The scoring for the evening wasn't over yet. In the 89th minute, Mike Willis found the back of the net, securing his first goal of the season with an assist from Aaron O'Malley, who earned his first collegiate point.

UMass Dominates

UMass outshot St. Bonaventure 18-11 (with 9-5 shots on goal) and secured a 7-4 advantage in corner kicks, showcasing their dominance on the field.

Looking Ahead

The Minutemen will hit the road this Saturday as they travel to Philadelphia to face the Saint Joseph's Hawks in a 5 p.m. kickoff. Afterward, they return home for a 1 p.m. matchup with Fordham on Saturday, October 14th.

Conclusion

UMass men's soccer's 5-2 victory over St. Bonaventure was a testament to their skill and determination on the field. With standout performances from Alec Hughes, Nick Zielonka, and the rest of the team, UMass is poised for continued success in the NCAA soccer arena.

"Image courtesy of UMass Athletics"