UMass Men's Soccer Grinds Out 1-1 Draw Against UConn

The No. 8 Massachusetts men's soccer team battled to a 1-1 draw against the UConn Huskies in their first meeting in 31 years. The Minutemen (1-0-1) took the lead in the second half, but they could not hold off the persistent attack of the Huskies (1-0-1) over the final 30 minutes.

Key Takeaways:

• The game's first goal was scored by Aidan Kelly, a senior defender, who rose to head the ball towards the goal after a corner kick from freshman Thomas Wadas. Kelly's initial attempt was deflected away, but the ball landed right back on his foot, and he slid it in the near corner to give UMass a 1-0 lead.
• The Minutemen did their best to stave off UConn's offensive push, but sloppy play around the box gave the Huskies too many opportunities to equalize. In the span of five minutes, the Minutemen deflected a ball inside the box with their hands twice, forcing two official reviews.
• Graduate student Balthazar Saunders lined up to take a penalty kick for UConn 81 minutes into the game, after a handball was ruled in the box. Saunders wasted little time, drilling a shot into the top-right corner to tie the game.
• UConn dominated possession in the early stages of the game and consistently threatened the UMass goal. Just four minutes into the first half, the Huskies controlled the ball across midfield before sailing a pass behind the Minutemen defenders just inside the six-yard box.
• UMass goalkeeper Alex Geczy was routinely called upon to keep the Minutemen in the game, turning away five of the six shots he faced.
• The game's draws have highlighted the experience of goaltender Alex Geczy, who made crucial saves against the Huskies, and defender Aidan Kelly, who scored in both games this season.
• UMass will look to get back into the win column in a home contest against Quinnipiac on Thursday, Aug. 28. Kickoff at Rudd Field is scheduled for 4 p.m.

Statistics:

• UMass took a 1-0 lead in the second half, but could not hold off UConn's persistent attack over the final 30 minutes.
• The game's goal tallies were 1-0 UMass to 1-0 UConn.
• In the span of five minutes, the Minutemen deflected a ball inside the box with their hands twice, forcing two official reviews.
• Graduate student Balthazar Saunders took a penalty kick for UConn 81 minutes into the game, which he converted into the top-right corner to tie the game.
• UMass goalkeeper Alex Geczy turned away five of the six shots he faced.
• UConn dominated possession in the early stages of the game, controlling the ball across midfield before sailing a pass behind the Minutemen defenders just inside the six-yard box.
• The Huskies consistently threatened the UMass goal, with just four minutes into the first half, Evan Pickering controlling the ball across midfield before flicking a bouncing header on goal, but Geczy parried away the opportunity.

Sources:

• Daily Collegian (2024), Minutemen unable to preserve late lead, Devin Lippman, August 25, 2025,
• Daily Collegian (2024), UMass men's soccer grinds out 1-1 draw against UConn, James Rust, August 25, 2025,