Morris' Hat Trick Leads Men's Soccer Past Rhode Island 3-2

AMHERST, Mass. - Senior forward Mark Morris netted the Minutemen's first hat trick since 2002 as the UMass men's soccer team defeated Rhode Island 3-2 on Wednesday afternoon at Rudd Field. After trailing 1-0 at halftime, Morris scored all three goals in the second half with the game-winning goal in the 90th minute.

UMass improves to 2-10-0 overall and 1-1-0 in the Atlantic 10, while Rhode Island falls to 5-5-2 overall and 0-1-1 in league play. The Minutemen will host Saint Louis on Saturday afternoon (1 PM) at Rudd Field. Prior to the match, UMass will hold a very special ceremony to dedicate the Sam Koch Memorial at Rudd Field. The ceremony is slated to start at 12:45 p.m. and fans are encouraged to get to the field early.

The last UMass player to notch a hat trick was Jeff Deren who did so twice in 2002 with four against Dayton and three against George Washington. Morris' three-goal match was just the 31st hat trick recorded in program history dating back to 1930.

In Wednesday's action, the Rams took a 1-0 lead in the 25th minute when Dante Lamb scored his fourth tally of the season. Lamb was able to intercept a pass as UMass attempted to clear its defensive zone. Keeper Jorge Becerra charged the play, but Lamb was able to get to the ball first sliding it past Becerra for the goal.

In the second half, Morris was able to get behind the Rhode Island defense where he took a crossing pass from Ty Goncalves and redirected it with his left foot past Rams keeper Nils Liefhelm in the 54th minute to tie the game 1-1.

Nearly 10 minutes later, Morris tacked on his second goal of the game on another service from Goncalves who was high on the right flank. His cross sailed into the left of the 18 yard box where Morris was able to head the ball towards the right side of the frame. The ball took a high arc off the header to get past Liefhelm who was off the line.

The Rams tied the game in the 76th minute when Dominick Richter collected a loose ball following a Rhode Island corner kick. He placed a heavy strike into the upper right corner of the goal tying the game 2-2.

The balance of the game was marked by hard, physical play as both teams were looking to find the go-ahead goal.

For the Minutemen, UMass was able to get a break when the Minutemen drew a foul chasing down a loose ball just inside the 18-yard box earning a penalty kick. Though Morris' shot on the penalty kick was saved by a diving Liefhelm, the ball rebounded back out front of the goal where the senior was able to tap it home as the game-winner with 30 seconds left in regulation.

UMass finished the match with a 15-to-14 edge in shots, while Rhode Island held an 8-to-3 advantage in corner kicks.

Becerra finished the match with four saves, while Liefhelm made five for the Rams.