Nov. 9, 2007

An outstanding day by a standout freshman was the difference for the Massachusetts Minutemen in a 3-0 win over Saint Joseph's Friday night. UMass's Ben Arikian had the game-winner and added two assists on the insurance goal to clinch the Minutemen's spot in the Atlantic 10 Tournament next week. Despite the loss Saint Joseph's (5-11-1, 4-4 A-10) is still tied for fifth in the A-10 and in position to qualify for the tournament.

A slow first half that saw just seven shots between the two teams gave way to the deciding goal in the 38th minute when Arikian booted a free kick past SJU keeper Bryan Benedict.

The first half was evenly played with UMass holding a 4-to-3 lead in shots and both teams had one corner kick apiece. Nevertheless, the pace picked up in the second half.

SJU came out quickly, almost equalizing on a Michael McInaw header in the 46th minute. The Hawks held possession for much of the first part of the second stanza, but couldn't put the ball away past UMass netminder Zack Simmons. Frequent corner kicks (four in the second half) and close-range free kicks led to close scoring opportunities, but nothing else.

UMass led a counter attack when a long ball played by Arikian met the foot of Mark DeSantis for his fourth goal of the season in the 64th minute. The Hawks were undeterred, peppering the Minuteman net, only to come up empty. The final nail in the coffin came on another Arikian long ball to Prince Ofosu who sealed the game in the 84th minute.

Benedict made six saves in net for the Hawks, while Simmons recorded his seventh shutout of the season, making six saves as well.

Saint Joseph's holds a tie of fifth place in the standing, while UMass improved to 11-7 overall and 6-2 in the A-10. SJU, with La Salle and Fordham, are 4-4 at 12 points going into the final match of the season.

The Hawks take on the Rams of Rhode Island (2-0 winner over Temple earlier Friday) at 1:00 p.m. on Finnesey Field as Saint Joseph's celebrates its seven seniors for Senior Day.