By Andrew Parente

The men’s soccer team was shut out for the second consecutive game and fifth time this season as they fell 2-0 to Massachusetts in Amherst Saturday.

With the loss, the Huskies drop to 2-5 and have failed to register a goal during their four road games this season. UMass improved to 3-4.

The teams played a very slow first half that saw a combined three shots on goal, two coming from the Minutemen and one from the Huskies. Sophomore Mahmoud Talaat got the start in net for Northeastern, and junior Zack Simmons was in goal for the Minutemen.

Despite the low shot total, NU had its chances in the first 45 minutes.

“We had some good opportunities in the first half, but just couldn’t get anything in the net,” said senior captain Greg Kilkenny.

The Huskies began the second half with a rough start and lost the game within a five-minute span.

In the 56th minute, UMass sophomore forward Bryan Hogan was able to get a head on a cross from freshman midfielder Ben Arikan and knock the ball into the right side of the net past Talaat. The goal was Hogan’s second of the season.

Just three minutes later, junior forward Mike DeSantis provided some insurance for the Minutemen. Senior defensemen Kenny Cook had a shot initially saved by Talaat, but DeSantis was able to pick up the rebound to give UMass a 2-0 lead.

The second half was dominated by UMass as they controlled most of the play and out-shot the Huskies 11-4.

“We had a rough second half out there,” Kilkenny said. “We just had a hard time getting anything going in their end of the field.”

Saturday was the first time the two teams have met since 1994 when UMass beat Northeastern 4-1. This game was only time the Huskies will face an Atlantic 10 opponent this year.

The game also marks the final out of conference game for Northeastern this year. They finish with a 2-5 record, going 2-1 at home and winless in four attempts away from Parsons Field.

Even with the loss, the defense has been strong for the Huskies so far.

“The defense has been great for us and that includes today,” Kilkenny said. “We have to start to score some goals for those guys, and then we can start to win some games.”

Both teams combined for 21 fouls in the game with two total yellow cards handed out, both to UMass. Northeastern also had its chances from the corner, taking a total of eight corner kicks in the game.

The Huskies will now begin play in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA). Last year, the team went 6-4-1 in CAA play and earned a spot in the postseason tournament.

They will open play in Norfolk, Va. against the Monarchs of Old Dominion Friday, Oct. 5 at 7 p.m. In 2006, the Huskies lost to the Monarchs in their only meeting at Parsons Field 2-1. Sophomore forward Alexander Volk had NU’s only tally in that game.

The Huskies will play one more game on the road against William ‘ Mary before returning home to face UNC Wilmington Friday, Oct. 12 at 6 p.m.