ST. BONAVENTURE, N.Y. – The St. Bonaventure University men's soccer team fell to Massachusetts, 5-1, Saturday afternoon in the season finale at the Marra Athletics Complex.
Bona entered the day facing a must-win situation to advance to the Atlantic 10 Tournament.
The Minutemen (10-3-4, 5-2-1 A-10) wasted no time Saturday, grabbing the lead just four minutes into the matchup with a goal off the head of Kyle Stenzel.
Massachusetts doubled its lead moments later in the eighth minute when Aidan Kelly found the back of the net.
The Bonnies, however, pulled one back in the 26th minute when Kenzo Brito swung a corner kick into the box. The ball was headed into the net by a UMass defender for an own goal, cutting the Bona deficit to 2-1.
Coming out of halftime, the Minutemen pushed their lead back to two goals in the 53rd minute when Alec Hughes secured his first goal of the game.
UMass tacked on a fourth goal in the 58th minute and Hughes capped off the scoring in the 68th minute with a tally that set his school's record for career goals.
Umechi Akuazaoku finished with four shots to pace the Bonnies while Neshawn Sutherland added three.
The Bonnies finish the season 6-8-3 overall and 2-4-2 in Atlantic 10 play.
QUOTES FROM HEAD COACH KWAME ODURO
"UMass is a good team. They are No. 22 in the RPI. Going down 2-1, we wanted to adjust and get back into the game. We needed to win today to make playoffs and I think maybe the pressure got to us a little bit. The goals we conceded today I thought were avoidable, but Massachusetts was clinical in their finishing."
"I want to thank all the staff and everyone who showed up to support us today. We truly appreciate it. The saddest thing about what I do is today. We don't get to coach some of those guys anymore, don't get to go to training tomorrow and to have these seniors, that is the saddest part about what I do. The seniors were excellent. They've been great role models in the community and on the field."
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