When the UMass Lowell men’s soccer team stepped onto the pitch at Cushing Field on October 4, 2025, they knew the stakes were high. Conference clashes are never easy, and the Binghamton Bearcats, despite their record, came ready for a battle. But as the final whistle blew, it was the River Hawks who stood tall, earning a hard-fought 1-0 victory and, with it, their first America East win of the season.
Junior Ethan Agyare-Danso was the man of the moment, notching the match’s only goal in the 81st minute. His effort wasn’t just a flash of individual brilliance—it was the culmination of relentless team pressure and a testament to the River Hawks’ resilience. "It was a battle," head coach Kyle Zenoni remarked post-match. "They're really well coached, and Paul does a great job with the guys. It's a conference game. Every conference game is a battle, as we know. At times we looked really good, at times we looked a little ugly, but I'm really proud of the guys, they do well, and they keep grinding. I couldn't be more proud of them."
The first half was a chess match, with both squads sizing each other up. Defenses reigned supreme—just four shots were registered in the opening 20 minutes, and neither side seemed willing to blink first. The River Hawks nearly broke the deadlock twice before halftime. In the 32nd minute, junior Linus Musielak found a sliver of space and unleashed a shot, only for the Bearcats’ keeper to deny him. Then, with the clock ticking down, senior Jean Leonardo soared above the pack to head a corner on target, but the Binghamton defense scrambled it away at the last possible second. The halftime scoreline? A tense, scoreless stalemate.
After the break, UMass Lowell began to find their stride. They rattled off three shots in quick succession to open the second half, signaling their intent. But Binghamton wasn’t about to roll over. The Bearcats responded with a chance of their own, but the momentum shifted dramatically when a red card left them a man down for the remainder of the contest. Suddenly, the River Hawks had the upper hand—and they weren’t about to waste it.
Graduate student Jorge Ortega, starting in goal for UMass Lowell, was a calming presence throughout. He faced nine shots in all, but not a single one was on target—a testament to both his command of the box and the discipline of the defense in front of him. It was Ortega’s first shutout of the season, and it couldn’t have come at a better time.
As the clock wound down, the River Hawks’ persistence finally paid off. Graduate student Shunnosuke Nakajima started the move, racing downfield before sliding a pass to the right for Ethan Young. The junior, making his mark with his first point as a River Hawk, beat his marker and whipped a cross into the heart of the box. Agyare-Danso, cool as you like, settled the ball and unleashed a rocket into the upper right corner. The crowd erupted. With just under ten minutes to play, UMass Lowell had their breakthrough.
"That was a great team goal," Agyare-Danso said after the match, beaming with pride. "We’ve been working on those combinations in practice, and to see it come off in a big game like this is special." His two shots on target led the team, but it was the one that found the back of the net that mattered most.
Binghamton, to their credit, didn’t fold. The Bearcats pushed forward in the dying moments, searching for an equalizer, but the River Hawks’ defense held firm. Outshot 14-9 overall and 7-0 in shots on target, Binghamton simply couldn’t find a way through. When the final whistle sounded, the River Hawks had secured not just three points, but a statement win to kickstart their conference campaign.
Meanwhile, across the America East Conference, all eyes were on the Vermont Catamounts as they continued their remarkable unbeaten run. On the same day, Vermont traveled to NJIT and emerged with a 2-1 victory, extending their nation-leading unbeaten streak to 21 matches. The defending NCAA champions, currently ranked fourth in the country, improved to 8-0-3 overall and 2-0 in league play. Ludvig af Ugglas notched his first career assist, setting up David Ismail for an early lead in the 18th minute—Ismail’s fourth goal of the year. Andrew Millar doubled the advantage in the 76th, with Philipp Kuehn providing the assist. NJIT managed a late consolation, but Vermont’s Niklas Herceg stood tall with five saves.
All of this sets the stage for a tantalizing clash on October 11. The River Hawks now hit the road, heading north to face Vermont at Virtue Field. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m., and anticipation is already building. Can UMass Lowell build on their newfound momentum and challenge the conference’s top dogs? Or will Vermont’s unbeaten streak roll on, fueled by the confidence of champions?
The Catamounts certainly aren’t taking anything for granted. Their next test comes in a nonconference finale at Harvard on October 7, a tune-up before they welcome the River Hawks to Burlington. For UMass Lowell, the challenge is clear: take the lessons learned from their gritty win over Binghamton and channel them into a performance worthy of toppling one of the nation’s elite.
Looking back, the River Hawks’ victory over Binghamton was more than just a tick in the win column—it was a showcase of their ability to grind out results when it matters most. "Every conference game is a battle," Coach Zenoni reminded everyone. With the defense clicking, Ortega finding form in net, and Agyare-Danso leading the line, there’s a sense that this team is hitting its stride just in time.
For fans of America East soccer, Saturday’s upcoming matchup at Virtue Field is shaping up to be a must-watch. The River Hawks will need every ounce of grit, determination, and tactical discipline to challenge a Vermont squad that hasn’t tasted defeat in over a year. But if their win over Binghamton is any indication, UMass Lowell is ready to embrace the underdog role and make some noise in the conference race.
The countdown is on. Will Vermont’s unbeaten streak survive another test, or can UMass Lowell spring the upset of the season? One thing’s for sure: all eyes will be on Virtue Field when these two teams collide. Soccer fans, buckle up—it’s about to get interesting.