AMHERST - The University of Massachusetts women's soccer team has a new philosophy this season.

After the graduation of standout forward Therese Smith, who ranked second on the team in goals scored last season, UMass hopes to replace the production lost with the combination of returning players, transfers and newcomers to collegiate soccer entirely.

In Friday's 2-1 victory over Elon, it was a transfer who stepped up to lead the offense.

Cincinnati transfer Julie Morrissey scored both goals, including the game-winner in the 83rd minute, to notch the victory at Rudd Field.

"I think we've made a lot of progression this year," coach Ed Matz said after Friday's 2-1 victory over Elon. "The progression from UConn (preseason) to Quinnipiac (preseason), to (New Hampshire, August 23) to Fairfield (August 30) have been big jumps. I'm not quite as happy with the jump from Fairfield to (Friday) ... maybe because we're starting to reach a bit of a level here. We just need to keep moving."

UMass (2-0-1) remained unbeaten, but the result was in doubt with the score tied at 1-1 late in the contest. Moa Mattsson was awarded a penalty kick in the 82nd minute, but hit the post.

"After Moa missed that PK, you never know how your team is going to react, especially being young and a newer team," Matz said. "Luckily, we got our composure back."

UMass continued to push the ball slowly, controlling the midfield and in the 83rd minute, Morrissey scored on a pass from Jess Howe from outside the box to give the Minutewomen a 2-1 lead in the 84th minute. The goals were Morrissey's second and third goals of the season.

She said she's enjoying her time at UMass.

"Our team chemistry is awesome," Morrissey said. "Coming from Cincinnati, playing with a lot of teams, I've never experienced such a bond like we have. It's great for all of us to be on the same level, where there's no such thing as freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior. We're all just one and it's been a lot of fun so far."

Matz said the key to continued success is gaining control of the midfield more than last year. He wants his team moving the ball up with shorter passes to create more gaps in the defense.

"When things go well for us in the midfield, we tend to make the shorter passes and get people involved," Matz said. "When we get a bit tired, we tend to knock the ball back from our defenders up to our strikers, and there's huge gaps between our midfielders and our strikers. The more times that occurs in the game, the less we're under control."

Defensive play is also a phase of the game the Minutewomen must improve this season from last, notably when they're deep in their own area.

"I think our defense is a lot younger than it looks," Matz said. "We've moved some people around. We have (Meghan) Collins moving back there, Lauren (Skesavage) and two freshman as well."

With new players needed to fill voids immediately from the start, it was up to them to make an impression defensively right out of the gate.

"We have a lot of urgency when it comes to our defensive half," Morrissey said. "We want to get the ball out, we don't want goals scored on us that way. We all have the mindset to get the ball out of that area."