The University of Massachusetts women's soccer team scored two minutes into the game and held on from there to upset top-seeded and previously undefeated La Salle, 1-0 Friday in the semifinals of the Atlantic-10 tournament in Dayton, Ohio.

The fourth-seeded Minutewomen will face No. 3 Dayton, the host school and defending champion, Sunday at 1 p.m. UMass and the Flyers didn't play during the regular season.

Julie Morrissey is making the most of her only year as a Minutewoman. The senior transfer, who started her career at Cincinnati, scored the game's only goal when she converted a Cecilia Jensen cross.

"The goal did a couple of things," UMass coach Ed Matz said. "It was certainly a huge lift for us. As the game progressed and we were able to hold that goal up, it gave us more confidence, but it put La Salle in an uncomfortable position because they haven't been in that position all year long."

The Explorers, who beat UMass 3-2 earlier this season, outshot UMass 27-8 in the game and got nine corner kicks to the Minutewomen's five, but the No. 23-ranked Explorers (15-1-3) could never break through as Emily Cota made five saves for UMass (14-4-2).

While Matz would rather get the league's automatic bid to the 64-team NCAA tournament, which would come with winning on Sunday, UMass may have put itself in position to make the tournament even if it loses in the final.

UMass entered the tournament ranked No. 58 in the ratings percentage index, a number that will make a considerable leap after beating La Salle, which was No. 30.

"I'm hoping we win the automatic, but I hope we'd be given strong consideration," Matz said.

Ice hockey

New Hampshire 7, UMass 3 - Neither goalie who saw action Friday night for the Minutemen had much luck slowing down the Wildcats, who pummelled UMass at the Whittemore Center, in Durham, N.H.

Freshman Steve Mastalerz made his collegiate debut for UMass and gave up three goals in the first period. UMass coach Toot Cahoon replaced him after he gave up a goal early in the second that was eventually disallowed for being kicked in. But his replacement Kevin Boyle gave up two goals in just under 11 minutes and Mastalerz returned.

Conor Sheary had a goal and two assists for the Minutemen (1-4-2, 0-4-2 Hockey East). T.J. Syner and Joel Hanley also had goals. UMass faces No. 1 ranked Boston College Saturday at 7 p.m. at the Mullins Center.

Field hockey

Temple 4, UMass 0 - The Owls scored twice in each half, ending the Minutewomen's season in disappointing fashion in the semifinals of the Atlantic 10 tournament.

UMass (7-11) mustered only five shots on goal, while senior goalie Alesha Widdall made six saves in her final collegiate game.

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