Nov. 2, 2008

LOWELL - Junior F Jeffery Danso (Worcester, MA) and senior M Jamie Wangia (Lowell, MA) each scored two goals and set up another as No. 1 UMass Lowell defeated No. 8 Bentley, 4-1, Sunday afternoon in the Northeast-10 Conference Men's Soccer Tournament quarterfinal at Cushing Field. The victory extended UMass Lowell's unbeaten streak to nine matches as the River Hawks improved to 11-2-4. The River Hawks host No. 4 Le Moyne Wednesday at a time to be determined MondayLe Moyne drew with No. 5 Merrimack, 2-2, before the Dolphins advanced by winning the penalty shootout, 4-3. Bentley ends its season with an 8-9-2 clip. The Falcons opened the scoring in the 24th minute on a scramble in front of the goal. UMass Lowell goalkeeper Ryan Richards (Holden MA) thwarted a pair of quick attempts by junior Jimmy Alexander (Hanover, MA) and a shot by junior F Jared Joaquin (North Andover, MA) was stopped by a defender in succession. Alexander, however, poked in Joaquin's rebound to give the Falcons a 1-0 lead. The River Hawks, who scored two goals off set pieces, earned their first when a throw-in by senior D Tim Bengston (Andover, MA) was touched by Wangia to the foot of Danso, who leveled inside the far post. Danso gave the River Hawks a 2-1 lead in the 45th when he headed in a cross from the right flank by senior D Joey Esteves (Fall River, MA) inside the left post. Wangia scored his first in the 59th minute when his header off a corner kick by junior M Jhony Valencia (Lowell, MA) beat Bentley goalkeeper Michael Nikiforov (Framingham, MA) inside the far post. Wangia completed the brace in the 64th minute when Danso crossed from the left flank to senior M Matias Pietropinto (Leominster, MA), who touched to Wangia, whose blast from the top of the box soared inside the left post. The River Hawks outshot Bentley 11-6 overall but shots on target were even at six apiece. Richards stopped four shots for UMass Lowell while Nikiforov had one save.

Northeast-10 Conference Tournament Quarterfinal
UMass Lowell 4, Bentley 1
At Lowell, MA

Goalkeepers
Ryan Richards (UML): 4 saves, 90:00
Michael Nikiforov (BEN): 1 save, 90:00