Nov. 4, 2011

Semifinal 1 Box Score

DAYTON, Ohio--For the second straight match, fourth-seeded Massachusetts broke a streak.

The Minutewomen upset top-seed La Salle 1-0 in the Atlantic 10 Conference Women's Soccer Championship semifinal Friday night at University of Dayton's Baujan Field. It was the first time this season the 23rd ranked Explorers lost a match.

Massachusetts (14-4-2) advanced to Sunday's title match for the first time since 1997. That 1997 tournament also marked the last time UMass won a postseason game prior to Thursday night's quarterfinal. The Minutewomen will face the winner of the second semifinal between No. 2 Richmond and No. 3 Dayton Sunday at 1:00 pm.

Massachusetts didn't waste any time getting the games' lone goal, scoring in the second minute. Sophomore Cecilia Jensen passed a through ball up the middle into the box and senior Julie Morrissey finished the shot, putting the ball into the upper 90 and out of La Salle keeper Melissa Sanger's reach.

The Explorers made a furious rally in the second half, totaling 17 shots to just two by UMass, but the UM defense, anchored by four second-half saves by junior keeper Emily Cota. For the game, La Salle outshot Massachusetts 27-8 and held a 9-5 advantage in corner kicks.

A-10 Rookie of the Year led all players with six shots. Sophomores Renee Washington and Courtney Niemiec each tallied five shots for the Explorers. Morrissey led UMass with three shots.

La Salle falls to 15-1-3 and will await the outcome of the women's soccer NCAA selection show.