Box Score BOSTON, Mass. -- Senior back Cooper D'Ambrosio (Andover) has gained a reputation as the top defensive player in the Little East Conference throughout most of his three-year career. This year, D'Ambrosio is gaining a reputation as a top late-game goal-scorer against nationally-ranked opponents. On the road.
After scoring with one second left in double overtime on his only shot in a 1-0 victory over No. 15 nationally-ranked Muhlenberg College Sept. 5, D'Ambrosio broke a tie with 43 seconds left in regulation on his only attempt at net in a 2-1 Little East Conference triumph over No. 23 University of Massachusetts Boston Saturday night at Boston College High School.
Junior forward
Tyler Jones (Vernon) had tied the match 15 minutes into the second half with his team-leading sixth goal of the year on a cross from sophomore forward
Xavier Doran (Hebron), and D'Ambrosio scored his third goal of the year. The ball was sent into the box on a re-start and D'Ambrosio headed the ball to Doran, who headed it back to D'Ambrosio, who knocked it in.
The game-winning goal was made possible by freshman keeper
Ryan Murphy (Cromwell), who stretched out to his left to reject a potential go-ahead penalty kick by UMass junior forward Edmilson Barros after Eastern was whistled for a foul at the top of the box.
With the win, Eastern (10-2-1, 3-0-1 LEC) knocks UMass Boston (10-2-0, 3-1-0 LEC) – last year's LEC regular-season and playoff champion -- out of sole possession of first place in the conference and moves into a first-place tie with Plymouth State University, which got a goal from Nick Rutherford to edge visiting Western Connecticut State University, 1-0, Saturday. The Beacons have lost two straight after ten opening wins. UMass is ranked No. 3 in New England, Eastern No. 4. With the win, Eastern exceeds its win total from a year ago, when it had a streak of three straight LEC regular-season and playoff titles snapped by UMB.
Murphy survived senior Mohamed Kenawy's goal 67 seconds into the second half to record his tenth victory of the season. Murphy made seven saves while senior Alfonso Rosales of UMass Boston stopped seven shots. Rosales and Murphy are ranked 1-2 in the LEC in most statistical goalkeeper categories.
D'Ambrosio's goal was the 25th of the season in 13 matches for the Warriors, one more than a year ago attained in 20 matches.
UMass was issued three cards in a span of 5:13 late in the game, with senor Pedro Dasilva sent off 26 seconds after D'Ambrosio's go-ahead goal.
