AMHERST — The UMass women’s soccer team collected its seventh straight win of the season with a 1-0 win over St. Bonaventure, Thursday afternoon at Rudd Field.
A goal from Sini Laaksonen and a strong performance from the rest of the squad allowed the Minutewomen to improve to 8-2 overall, 3-0 in the Atlantic 10.
The match started with both teams putting on pressure, but UMass quickly took control. Pressuring the Bonnies throughout the first half, the Minutewomen had some chances but couldn’t capitalize.
“I thought we actually created some great opportunities in the first half, we just didn’t finish them,” UMass head coach Jason Dowiak said.
After a scoreless first half, UMass broke through in the 56th minute. Laaksonen tapped it in from about 2 yards in front of the net for her first goal of the season. She was assisted by freshman forward Lauren Bonavita and junior defender Sarah Beaulieu.
“At halftime Jason told us to try and take it to the end line and cut in more, so I just tried to follow his advice and I got to the end line and I played the ball across because I saw Lauren and Sydney,” Beaulieu said.
Added Laaksonen, “We had a lot of people in the box and I happened to be lucky to be in the right place at the right time.”
Defender Jenna Thomas had another strong game along with the rest of the defense, which kept the Bonnies (0-8-4, 0-3-0) out of their half for most of the game.
Peyton Ryan finished with one save in net for UMass.
“It’s mainly just us staying tight and communicating,” Thomas said “I think that we’re doing a great job at having each other’s backs. … Peyton obviously is huge at communicating and she supports us fully and gives us the confidence that we have if we have to play to her or up or anything.”
Dowiak was pleased with his team’s performance.
“We are blessed to have a group of players that when somebody is not having their best day, there’s someone else that can come in and elevate the game,” he said.
UMass plays La Salle in Philadelphia, Sunday at 1 p.m.