August 22, 2012
BRACE GETS UMASS PAST BRYANT
Mattsson’s two lead 3-2 win for Minutewomen

SMITHFIELD, R.I. - The UMass women used three first-half goals, including two from sophomore Moa Mattsson , to post a 3-2 win over Bryant on Wednesday afternoon.

Following their first victory of 2012, the Minutewomen move to 1-1, while the Bulldogs fall to 1-1.

UMass opened the scoring in the 24th minute. Freshman Jen Coppola collected a pass from Jess Howe in the midfield at the top right corner of the 18-yard box and took a touch before driving a shot past Lauren Viverito for her first career goal.

Then in the 42nd minute, Mattsson brought the advantage to 2-0. After receiving a feed from sophomore Emily Benjamin, Mattsson fired a blast from 35 yards out that sailed into the top of the Bryant net.

The Bulldogs managed to pull back to within one, less than two minutes later. On a direct kick from the left side of the goal, Alex Bengston drove the ball off the post and in.

The Minutewomen countered with another tally from Mattsson, taking just 21 seconds to answer, going back up by two, 3-1. Collecting a through ball from sophomore Alyssa D'Arcy, she slipped past the Bulldogs back line and beat Vierito for her second of the contest.

Early in the second half, Bryant made it a one-goal game once again. Ari Goldberg converted on a penalty kick, knocking her shot off the crossbar and iin the 55th minute

For a second straight game, Minutewomen senior Stephanie Gordon posted a career-high in saves, finishing with 16 as the Bulldogs held a 28-12 shot advantage. Viverito made five stops for Bryant.