Box Score

Junior M Kevin Zapata (East Bridgewater, Mass.) scored the game-winning goal with seven seconds remaining in regulation to lead the UMass Lowell to a 4-3 victory over Assumption Saturday afternoon in a Northeast-10 Conference men's soccer match at Rocheleau Field.

The victory was the third straight for UMass Lowell, which improved to 4-0-1 overall and 3-0-0 in the NE-10 entering Tuesday night's home clash against American International (7:00).

Assumption slipped to 2-2-0 overall and 1-1-0 in the Conference.

Sophomore F Homero Morais (Somerville, Mass.) scored two goals while senior M Bruno Bonicontro (Marlboro, Mass.) added one goal and one assist.

Zapata scored the winner, his first of the season, seven seconds from extra time, and right after Assumption's junior B Michael Agbortoko had a chance to win it for the Greyhounds, but shot over an open net.

Off the ensuing goal kick, Zapata headed a pass from Morais to junior M Daniel Galvin (Attleboro, Mass.) out wide left. Galvin closed in and crossed to Zapata who connected with an outstretched boot.

“We did well to respond going down 2-1 in the first half, to come back with two goals,” said head coach Christian Figueroa. “It was good to see our guys fighting for goals until the end of the game. I think our pressure made it tough at times for (Assumption) to play. And I definitely liked our ability to absorb their pressure throughout the game.”

Morais opened the scoring in the ninth minute when he possessed the rebound off a saved shot by Galvin and slotted home. Assumption was quick to respond as senior F Dom Mondi found space on the top right side of the box and beat junior GK Chris Maierle (Wantagh, N.Y.) to the far post.

The Greyhounds went ahead 2-1 in the 42^nd minute when sophomore M Troy Lamagna took a rebound and shot low and hard to Maierle's right.

The River Hawks dictated the pace early in the second half and their pressure resulted in goals 46 seconds apart. Bonicontro scored his third of the season in the 54^th minute when Galvin took a pass from Morais, cut inside and crossed as Morais dummied and Bonicontro ran on to lash home.

Bonicontro was quick to return the favor. On the next possession, he penetrated along with endline and crossed to Morais whose one-timer left freshman GK Dana King with little chance.

UMass Lowell's lead was short-lived as Mondi took a long throw-in and lofted over Maierle in the 56^th. Junior B Neil Lavanchy (Scituate, Mass.) raced back to cover and got a foot to it, to no avail.

UMass Lowell outshot the Greyhounds 14-9 overall and 9-4 on target. King stopped five shots for Assumption.