UMass men beat UCF

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 visiting UCF at Rudd Field. After a scoreless first half, the Knights scored in the 52nd minute before Canepa found the equalizer and Cleverdon the game-winner. UMass will host No.24 Indiana on Sunday at 1 PM. Admission is free to all!

The Minutemen improve to 1-1-2 overall, while UCF falls to 3-2-0 on the year.

Nick Robson put the Knights on the board at the 52:04 mark of the second half following a break-away 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 at 53:39 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 game-winner. Morgan Brandso played a long cross from the right sideline to Cleverdon who headed a shot just inside the right post from six-yards out for the win.

The Minutemen held a 12-to-7 shot advantage for the game and a 5-to-1 corner kick edge. Shane Curran-Hays earned the win in goal making five saves, while UCF keeper Shawn Doyle took the loss with four saves.