Eighth-Ranked UMass Settles for Draw as UConn Rallies Late in Season Opener Balthazar Saunders' 82nd-minute equalizer denies Minutemen victory in high-stakes early season clash
STORRS, CT – The eighth-ranked University of Massachusetts Minutemen opened their 2025 campaign with a frustrating 1-1 draw against in-state rival UConn on Sunday, as the Huskies mounted a spirited comeback to salvage a point in front of their home supporters.
What appeared to be a perfect start to the season for the highly-ranked Minutemen quickly turned into a lesson about maintaining concentration for the full 90 minutes. UMass controlled large portions of the match and seemed destined for three points after Aidan Kelly's 61st-minute breakthrough, only to see their advantage evaporate in the final stages.
The opening 45 minutes showcased two well-organized sides feeling each other out, with UConn slightly edging the shot count 6-3 but neither team creating clear-cut opportunities. UMass goalkeeper Alex Geczy was the busier of the two keepers, making crucial saves on efforts from Evan Pickering in the opening minutes, denying the UConn forward twice in quick succession to keep the match scoreless.
The Minutemen's tactical approach became more aggressive after the interval, generating three corner kicks in the opening 15 minutes of the second half. Their persistence paid dividends when Kelly, operating from his defensive position, found himself in the right place at the right time. Following a corner kick sequence in the 61st minute, the defender pounced on a loose ball to give UMass the lead with his first goal of the season.
Kelly's strike appeared to settle the match in favor of the visitors, but UConn had other plans. The Huskies' most dangerous player throughout the afternoon, Balthazar Saunders, had been testing Geczy with a series of efforts that showcased his technical ability and positioning. The midfielder's persistence finally paid off in the 82nd minute when he found the equalizer, capping off an impressive individual performance that included five shots and three on target.
The statistics tell the story of a closely contested affair, with UConn marginally outshooting UMass 15-12 and forcing more saves from the opposing goalkeeper. However, the Minutemen's defensive structure, anchored by the steady presence of Joey Bianco and Alex Brown, who both played the full 90 minutes without major incident, kept UConn's attacking threats largely at bay for most of the contest.
UMass head coach will be particularly pleased with the performance of his back line, which limited UConn to just seven shots on target despite facing consistent pressure. The disciplinary record also favored the Minutemen, who picked up just two yellow cards compared to UConn's cleaner sheet, though both teams maintained good composure throughout.
For the eighth-ranked Minutemen, this result represents a missed opportunity to make an early statement in what promises to be a competitive season. The team's ability to create chances and take the lead demonstrated their quality, but the late lapse in concentration will serve as a valuable learning experience.
UConn, meanwhile, can take significant confidence from their performance against highly-ranked opposition. The Huskies showed resilience and character to fight back from a deficit, with Saunders emerging as a genuine threat who could prove crucial to their season ambitions.
Both teams will look to build on the positives from this entertaining opener as they prepare for the challenges ahead in what promises to be an exciting 2025 college soccer season.
Key Players
- Balthazar Saunders (UConn) - The dynamic midfielder led all players with 5 shots, putting 3 on target and scoring the crucial 82nd-minute equalizer to salvage a point for the Huskies
- Aidan Kelly (UMass) - The defender provided the breakthrough moment with his 61st-minute goal while contributing 3 shots from his defensive position, showcasing his attacking threat from set pieces
- Alex Geczy (UMass) - The Minutemen goalkeeper made 6 saves to keep his team in the match, including crucial early stops on Evan Pickering that prevented UConn from taking control