AMHERST, Mass. -- Colin Kelly's fourth goal of the season proved to be the game-winner as Delaware rallied from an early deficit to earn a 3-2 victory over UMass in quarterfinal action at the 2026 Summit League Men's Soccer Championship Saturday at Rudd Field. The Blue Hens scored three unanswered goals in the second half to secure their first postseason victory in Summit League play after falling to Kansas City in last year's semifinals.
UMass struck first in the 38th minute when Samuel Theiss found the back of the net off an assist from Henry Hutchinson to give the Minutemen a 1-0 advantage heading into the halftime break. Theiss' goal marked his fourth of the season as UMass made its first appearance in the Summit League Men's Soccer Championship after missing the tournament a year ago.
Delaware responded early in the second half, finding the equalizer in the 56th minute when Frederik Flaskager finished a pass from Richard Monath to knot the match at 1-1. Just under three minutes later, Monath put the Blue Hens in front with a goal of his own in the 59th minute, finishing a feed from Jan Schroeder to give Delaware its first lead of the afternoon.
The Blue Hens extended their advantage in the 72nd minute when Kelly found the back of the net for his fourth goal of the campaign, giving Delaware a two-goal cushion at 3-1.
UMass continued to battle and pulled within one in the 83rd minute when Sebastian Weitlaner converted a pass from Shane Velez to make it a 3-2 contest. The Minutemen applied pressure in the closing minutes, but Delaware held on defensively to secure the quarterfinal victory.
Delaware advances to the semifinal round in Kansas City after earning its first Summit League victory of the season. The Blue Hens entered the tournament winless in conference play during the regular season before earning Saturday's quarterfinal triumph.
Turning Point
- After UMass took a 1-0 lead into halftime, Delaware scored three consecutive goals in the second half, capped by Kelly's game-winner in the 72nd minute to give the Blue Hens a 3-1 advantage.
Inside the box score
- Delaware scored three goals in the second half after trailing 1-0 at the break.
- Kelly scored his fourth goal of the season, which proved to be the game-winner.
- Monath finished with a goal and an assist, while Flaskager added a goal. Schroeder and Velez each recorded an assist.
- Theiss scored his fourth goal of the season to open the scoring for UMass, while Weitlaner added the Minutemen's second goal.
- UMass held a 20-13 advantage in shots, while Delaware recorded a 4-3 edge in shots on goal.
- Both teams finished with eight corner kicks.
- Delaware goalkeeper Eric Widrick recorded three saves, while UMass goalkeeper Dean Linden finished with one.
News & Notes
- Delaware earned its first Summit League postseason victory after falling 2-0 to Kansas City in the 2025 semifinals.
- The Blue Hens earned their first Summit League conference victory of the season after going winless during the regular season.
- UMass was making its first appearance in the Summit League Men's Soccer Championship after missing the tournament in 2025.
- Kelly's game-winning goal was his fourth of the season, while Theiss also recorded his fourth goal of the campaign.
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