Dec. 9, 2007

AMHERST, Mass. - Behind goals from Stuart Amick and Mike DeSantis and a spectacular effort by goalkeeper Zack Simmons, the UMass men's soccer team defeated UIC, 2-1 in the National Quarterfinals on Sunday afternoon. With the win, the Minutemen (17-7-1) advance to the College Cup for the first time in program history. UMass will face No. 5-seed Ohio State on Friday night at 7 p.m. in Cary, N.C. The game will be shown live on ESPNU and tape-delay the following day at 11 a.m.

The Minutemen improve to 9-1 on the year at Rudd Field and are undefeated in the last seven games. The two goals were the first allowed by UIC in the NCAA Tournament and tied the most the Flames had given up all season.

Sunday's game started as a defensive battle for both sides. UIC outshot UMass 7-to-4 in the first half, but each team played excellent defense within the 18-yard boxes to clear away any dangerous threats. Each keeper finished the opening frame with one save each.

In the second half, UMass pressured early earning the first goal of the game just 2:56 into the frame. Greg Cirillo advanced the ball up the right flank sending a cross into the box finding Mark DeSantis. DeSantis flicked the ball to Stuart Amick just outside the left post. Amick quickly got a foot on the ball firing it into the top right corner of the goal.

The Flames answered UMass' first goal 10 minutes later to tie the game at 1-1. UIC turned up its offensive pressure and midfield play keeping possession in its offensive third during that time. After winning a corner, Charlie Trout put the ball in play towards the near post. A UMass defender initially headed the ball clear, but Mike Giffin controlled the loose ball and blasted a shot from 18 yards out for the equalizer.

The game remained tied for the next 21 minutes until Mike DeSantis nailed the game-winner at the 79:85 mark. UMass earned a side-line throw-in in the far corner and Doug Rappaport heaved a pass into the box. The ball was deflected out where Cirillo fired a shot from outside the box towards the left post. DeSantis got a foot on Cirillo's shot deflecting it just inside the right post for the game-winner.

The Flames held a 17-to-8 advantage in shots for the game and a 5-to-1 edge in corner kicks.

Simmons made five saves for the game for UMass, including four in the second half. He made several spectacular saves late in the game to keep the Minutemen alive. Jovan Bubonja made three saves in goal for the Flames.