Boston, Mass.--Sophomore defender Lucas Duquette (Wakefield, R.I.) and junior midfielder Jesus Guarcas (Providence, R.I.) each scored as No. 4-seeded Rhode Island College lost vs. No. 1-seeded UMass Boston, 4-2, in semifinal action of the 2023 Little East Men's Soccer Championship played at BC High on Thursday afternoon.
 
THE BASICS
UMass Boston 4, Rhode Island College 2
UMass Boston (13-4-2)
Rhode Island College (9-5-5)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
• The scoring kicked off just 11 minutes into the game when UMass Boston freshman forward Rafael Gross (Minas Gerais, Brazil) tallied his fifth goal of the season to build a 1-0 lead for the top-seeded Beacons.
 
• UMass Boston would grow its lead thanks to sophomore midfielder Gabriel Meireles (Everett, Mass.), who successfully converted a penalty kick for his league-leading 14^th goal of the year.
 
• The Beacons would take that 2-0 lead into halftime, outshooting RIC, 10-0, in the first 45 minutes.
 
• The Anchormen would come out flying in the second half, scoring in the 49^th minute after Duquette finished off a pass from graduate student forward Braeden Cannon (Cranston, R.I.) for his second goal of the year.
 
• In the 59^th minute, Guarcas would be awarded a penalty kick of his own, which he successfully converted to tie the game, 2-2.
 
• Just 62 seconds later, the Beacons snatched back the lead after freshman forward John Arruda (Espirito Santo, Brazil) scored what would prove to be the game-winning goal.
 
• UMass Boston added an insurance tally from senior forward Josh DeAlmeida (Revere, Mass.) in the 86^th minute.
 
• Junior goalkeeper Jake Reed (Cumberland, R.I.) recorded four saves in the loss (7-3-3).
 
• UMass Boston senior goalkeeper Qasim El-Ashkar (Salem, Mass.) made two saves in the win (10-1-0).