Oct. 24, 2009

Box Score

Freshman M Ryan McLeod (Haverhill, MA) scored his first two collegiate goals just 2:10 apart late in the second half as UMass Lowell defeated the College of Saint Rose, 2-0, Saturday afternoon in a Northeast-10 Conference men's soccer clash at Cushing Field.

The victory snapped a nine-match slide for the River Hawks, who improved to 4-11 overall and 3-9 in the NE-10 entering Wednesday's season finale at Merrimack (7:00). Saint Rose slipped to 2-13-1 overall and 1-10-1 in the Conference and hosts Queens College Sunday at 1:00.

Despite the slick, wet conditions, both teams had chances, particularly in the second half. UMass Lowell nearly broke the drought in the 60th minute when a shot by senior F Jeffery Danso (Worcester, MA) from the right flank was parried left by sophomore G Patrik Ohlsson (Sodertalje, Sweden) to the path of sophomore M Matheus Candido (Lowell, MA), who slotted agonizingly wide.

Five minutes later, the Golden Knights had their best chance when junior F Justin Little (South Kortright, NY) got between two defenders deep in the UMass Lowell box, but his left-footed effort caromed off the left post. Freshman M Sean Foley (Jefferson, MA) was there for the rebound, but the slick surface kept him from getting a touch.

McLeod gave UMass Lowell a 1-0 lead in the 77th minute, the result of good work from freshman M Bruno Bonicontro (Marlboro, MA) and Danso. Bonicontro crossed from the right side and Danso touched to an unmarked McLeod, who slotted inside the right post.

The River Hawks doubled their lead on a similar play in the 80th when Danso took a through-ball from senior Jhony Valencia (Lowell, MA) and crossed to McLeod, who calmly sidefooted inside the left post.

Candido nearly put the River Hawks up 3-0 in the 82nd, when he took a through pass from Bonicontro and tucked toward the low left corner, only for Ohlsson to glove off the post and out of play.

UMass Lowell outshot the Golden Knights 27-15 overall and 12-3 on frame. Ohlsson stopped nine shots for Saint Rose while senior G Ryan Richards (Holden, MA) stopped all three attempts.