DANBURY, Conn. - Sophomore midfielder Nickolas Santana (New Haven, Conn.) tallied his team-leading 19th goal of the season but it wasn't enough as the top-seeded Western Connecticut State University men's soccer team fell to visiting second-seeded UMass Boston, 2-1, in the Little East Conference title matchup on Saturday evening at the Westside Athletic Complex. Trailing 2-0 late in the game, Santana drilled a penalty kick attempt into lower-left corner of the net, slicing it to a one-goal deficit and setting up a breathtaking final five minutes of play. 

The Wolves earned the first high quality scoring chance of the night when rookie midfielder Kauan Brandalise (Oxford, Conn.) saw his shot from the top of the box sail just wide of the iron less than eight minutes into the action. The Beacons had their best chance to pierce the scoring column in the 37th minute but the blast was snared by Wolves rookie netminder Makai Smith (Bridgeport, Conn.).

The game remained scoreless until Beacon forward John Arruda took a short pass from Ryan Doherty and raced in past a pair of defenders, booting a low sharp-angled shot into the far corner of the net with just over 10 minutes remaining in regulation. Shortly thereafter, the visitors added an insurance marker when Eduardo Chirico knocked a corner kick pass off a Wolves defender that snuck just inside the post to make it 2-0 with 4:51 left to play. Santana was able to punch home the PK just 28 seconds later, cutting it to 2-1. 

The hosts continued to apply heavy pressure in the waning moments. However, two of their three shots just missed the net while another was blocked as the Beacons were able to hold on to earn the crown. Smith finished with three saves for the Wolves, while UMass Boston goalie Nolan McKenna also turned aside a trio of shots. 

After finishing the regular season conference slate undefeated at 8-0, the Wolves season came to an abrupt end at 13-6-3 overall. The Beacons improved to 12-3-4 overall and earned the automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament.