DAYTON, Ohio – Massachusetts (11-5-4, 5-3-2 A-10) engineered a strong defensive performance in the opening semifinal of the 2021 Atlantic 10 Women's Soccer Championship, composing a 2-0 shutout of eighth-seeded Saint Joseph's (6-12-2, 5-5-0 A-10) on Friday afternoon at Baujan Field.

With the victory, UMass moves on to the program's first A-10 Women's Soccer Championship final since 2011, squaring off against the winner between championship host and second-seeded Dayton and No. 3 Saint Louis at noon ET on Sunday, Nov. 7. The contest will be broadcast live via ESPN+.

The Minutewomen kicked off the scoring midway through the opening half, jumping out on top behind a goal at the 21st minute from Ashley Lamond, good for the her seventh of the season and second of the A-10 Championship. Following a perfect cross in from Olivia Gouldsbury, the freshman collected a rebound of her own header before powering the ball past the SJU keeper, notching her third game-winning score of the 2021 campaign.

Massachusetts added on an insurance goal late in the second period at the 65th minute, utilizing a series of quick passes from Bella Recinos and Lamond to set up senior Lauren Bonavita for the one-touch shot deep inside the box. The score serves as the first of the year for Bonavita as UM secured its place in the A-10 Championship final.