UMass Boston’s men’s soccer team opened the 2026 season run with three back-to-back victories.
The opening match against Salve Regina University Sept. 1 resulted in a 2-1 Beacons win. This was followed by another 2-1 victory on the road against Bridgewater State University Sept. 3. Their two-game streak helped boost the team’s confidence as they took over Saint Joseph’s College of Maine Sept. 6 in a 3-2 win.
Salve Regina and the Beacons both tried their best offensively until sophomore Eduardo Chirico netted his first goal of the season in the 41st minute of the first half, giving the Beacons a 1-0 lead. Salve Regina was quick to retaliate, and within a span of five seconds they scored the equalizer.
The team maintained their calm in the second half as they went head-to-head to score the tiebreaker. In the 75th minute, senior John Arruda scored the winning goal for the Beacons.
Then the team faced a scoreless first half against Bridgewater State, leading to a fired-up offense in the second half. Bridgewater scored the game opener in the 49th minute, giving them a 1-0 lead. Their celebrations were short-lived, as Arruda found the back of the net with assistance from senior Rafael Gross and fifth-year midfielder Ryan Lima, bringing the Beacons to a 1-1 tie.
Arruda’s goal helped lift the team’s spirit, and just 13 minutes later, Chirico shot the game-winning goal off an assist from freshman Raphael Alves. This marked their second consecutive match win and head coach Jake Beverlin’s 150th win with UMass Boston.
On Sunday, the team showcased a thrilling rally against Saint Joseph’s. The Monks really worked the Beacons’ defense — the first 45 minutes of the game saw a back-and-forth between the teams, both desperate to score. Saint Joseph’s scored the game opener in the 53rd minute, giving them a 1-0 advantage over the Beacons.
The team was quick to retaliate, with junior Cam Ramos cashing in on a penalty kick. The Monks regained their lead in the 66th minute as they snuck a kick past sophomore goalkeeper Mario Hajhdi. The Beacons’ desperate shots paid off, though, when they scored an equalizer — and just 26 minutes later — the winning shot.
If 2026 is really an amped-up version of 2016 as the internet claims, then this might just be the Beacons’ year. This season marked the team’s first 3-0 winning run since their 2016 ten game streak. The team has visibly improved under coach Beverlin’s leadership. No one recruits like Beverlin; every new addition compliments the team, bringing skills to the table that benefit the Beacons in the long run. These three games were an ode to the team’s dynamics, showcasing how the new first-years and transfers have integrated into the team chemistry.
The Beacons are now all set to take on Massachusetts Institute of Technology Sept. 23 on the road and the Keene State Owls Sept. 26 on the Beacons’ home field.