Nov. 4, 2011

Box Score

Junior F Chris Tsonis scored two goals in the first half as No. 2 Southern New Hampshire University defeated No. 3 UMass Lowell, 3-2, Friday night in the Northeast-10 Conference Men's Soccer Tournament semifinal at George J. Larkin Field.

With the loss, UMass Lowell likely completes the season with an 11-7-0 record, ending a remarkable turnaround from last year's 3-11-2 team. The River Hawks will await NCAA Tournament bids to be announced Monday afternoon.

Southern New Hampshire (17-2-0) moves on to the NE-10 Championship match at No. 1 Franklin Pierce Sunday. Franklin Pierce defeated No. 4 Le Moyne, 2-0 earlier Friday in the other semifinal.

UMass Lowell fought back from a 0-2 deficit to get within a goal on two occasions, but was unable to muster any closer.

The Penmen opened the scoring in the 33rd minute when Tsonis was felled just inside the six-yard box and stepped up to convert the penalty kick. He added his second goal in the 43rd minute when junior Jordan Branco drew sophomore GK Connor Askins (Boston, Mass.) forward before flicking to Stones, who finished.

Tsonis nearly completed the hat trick in the 53rd when his attempt caromed off the post.

Freshman F Homero Morais (Somerville, Mass.) gave the River Hawks a lifeline in the 70th minute when he picked up a loose ball at the top of the box and tucked a shot inside the low left corner.

Ten minutes later, however, the Penmen put the match out of reach when Askins came out to punch out a cross, but Branco possessed the spoils and slotted home.

UMass Lowell fought back again, however, and it paid off in the 89th just after Southern New Hampshire defender Jon Brockway was sent off. Senior B Asley Barrios (Revere, Mass.) crossed to freshman M Felipe Fagundes (Leominster, Mass.) who coolly converted his first of the year.

Southern New Hampshire outshot UMass Lowell 16-11 overall (8-0 in the first half) and 4-3 on target. The River Hawks were able to post an 11-8 advantage in the second half.

Askins had one save as did Southern New Hampshire senior Joey Kapinos.