AMHERST, Mass. - Despite jumping out to a 1-0 lead, the University of Massachusetts women's soccer team was unable to hold off La Salle as the squad fell, 3-1 on a wet Friday afternoon at Rudd Field. Following the setback, the Minutewomen are now 3-7-2 overall and 2-3-0 in the Atlantic 10, while the Explorers improve to 7-5-2, 1-3-1 in conference action.

UMass struck first as junior Therese Smith (Holyoke, Mass./Holyoke) sent a pass ahead to redshirt junior Sydney Stoll (Dedham, Mass./Dedham) who lifted a shot over La Salle goalkeeper Gabby Pakhtigian and into the far top corner of the net at 18:53.

Just under five minutes later, however, Traci DePasquale came up with the equalizer for the Explorers. DePasquale's long distance strike off a feed from Ally Kenney came at 23:00.

Two minutes into the start of the second half, DePasquale and Kenney connected once more for the deciding tally. DePasquale quickly sent a touch pass over to Kenney off a restart and Kenney's shot bent just under the crossbar out of the reach of UMass' Emily Cota (Green Lane, Pa./Upper Perkiomen).

DePasquale later recorded her second of the game, tipping the ball in off a rebound amidst a scramble in front in the 61st minute with Melanie Gamble earning an assist on the play.

The Minutewomen, who outshot La Salle, 17-12, had a host of scoring opportunities, but were unable to find the back of the net. Stoll and Smith combined for 12 of the 17 attempts, with Stoll placing six shots on frame.

Pakhtigian totaled eight saves for the Explorers, while Cota finished with four for UMass. La Salle held a 5-4 edge in corner kicks and fouls were even at eight apiece.

The Minutewomen continue their three-game homestand with a match against Fordham this Sunday, Oct. 11 at 1 p.m.