DARTMOUTH, Mass. – The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth men's soccer team defeated Keene State College, 2-1, to earn their first Little East Conference win of the 2025 season. First year
Jack Martin scored his first collegiate goal while junior captain
Mario Rodriguez notched his second goal of the year to lift the Corsairs over Owls. UMass Dartmouth move to 1-0-1 in conference play and 5-2-1 overall while Keene State suffers their second league loss.
The Owls wasted no time finding the back of the net as Luke Hartshorn scored in the opening 12 seconds of the game to put the visitors ahead 1-0. UMass Dartmouth quickly answered a few minutes after as Martin volleyed a shot from the top of the Owls box into the top right corner of the goal to tie the score up at 1-apiece.
The Corsairs used the momentum to win a penalty kick after Cristian Correa was called for a handball in the box at the 6:43 mark. Rodriguez stepped to take the penalty for UMass Dartmouth and calmly slotted the ball into the bottom left corner to give the home team their first lead of the afternoon. Both sides exchanged shots was the half wrapped up with Corsairs goalkeeper
Ethan Donahue recording four saves to keep the Owls off the scoreboard heading into the break.
First year
Lennon Rodrigues and Martin each opened the second half by ripping a shot on target to force early saves by Owls goalkeeper Eldin Husanovic. As the game neared it's end, Keene State picked up the intensity, but UMass Dartmouth's defense held the Owls to just two shots in the final ten minutes of play to secure their first league win by a final score of 2-1 from Cressy Field.
Martin recorded his first collegiate goal for two points in the game after posting two shots on target. Rodriguez tallied his second score of the season after finishing a game-winning penalty kick for the Corsairs.
Donahue earned his fourth win between the posts for UMass Dartmouth after registering four saves and allowing just one goal. Husanovic shouldered the loss in net for Keene State after posting three saves and allowing two goals.
UMass Dartmouth continues Little East action on Saturday, September 27
th at Western Connecticut State University scheduled for a 1:00 p.m. kickoff.
