September 17, 2010
DAY OF FIRSTS
UMass tops UCF as freshmen score

AMHERST, Mass. - It was a day of firsts as freshmen Brett Canepa and Tyler Cleverdon scored their first career goals to lead UMass to its first win of the season, 2-1, over UCF at Rudd Field.

After a scoreless first half, the Knights scored in the 53rd minute when Nick Robinson ran onto a breakaway pass by Warren Creavalle on a counter-attack. The goal was his team-leading fifth of the year.

UMass immediately responded as Canepa headed home the equalizer in the 54th minute with his first career score. Chris Vaccaro a pass from the top of the 18-yard box to Ben Arikian on the left goal line. Arikian sent a pass to the right-side post where Canepa flicked the shot home.

Cleverdon sealed the game with just 41 seconds remaining in the game after he headed home the a long cross from Morgan Brandso from inside the 6 yard box.

Shane Curran-Hays earned the win in goal making five saves, while UCF keeper Shawn Doyle took the loss with four saves as the Minutemen held a 12-7 shots advantage. The Minutemen improve to 1-1-2, while UCF falls to 3-2-0.

UMass will host No.24 Indiana on Sunday at 1 PM.