DANBURY, Conn. — After a scoreless first half, first-year Jokin Martinez (Jamaica, N.Y.) netted the game-winner for the Western Connecticut State University men's soccer team in a 2-0 shutout over the visiting UMass Dartmouth Corsairs in the Little East Conference (LEC) Semifinals at the Westside Stadium on Wednesday. The Wolves advance to the LEC Finals for the fifth straight year and improved to 13-5-3 overall, while the Corsairs ended their season at 7-9-4. The visitors haven't won at the Westside Stadium in 16 years. No. 1 WestConn hosts No. 2 UMass Boston on Saturday, November 8, at the WAC, with a 4:30 p.m. kickoff.

The first half saw few shots on goal, with the Wolves' rookie goalkeeper Makai Smith (Bridgeport, Conn.) making only two saves and Ethan Donahue denying a trio in the net for UMD. WestConn managed to wipe the goose egg off the scoreboard with a nifty karate kick shot by Martinez over the head of Donahue. Nikolas Chevres (Miami, Fla.) attempted a cross, but it was blocked by a Corsair and deflected off the side of his head, which caught the defense off guard and allowed Martinez to capitalize for the first goal of the game at 72:38.

UMD had a close chance to even the game four minutes later off a WestConn foul drew a free kick opportunity for the Corsairs. Mario Rodriguez took the shot from the left of the cage, but Smith remained vigilant for a leaping save to keep the visitors at bay.

Aidan Roxo (Danbury, Conn.) drew the foul with less than 11 minutes remaining in regulation and added the insurance goal for WestConn from the 10-yard line on the right side of the field. The junior back delivered a beautiful shot towards the top right off the netting that sailed over the fingertips of Donahue for Roxo's first career goal.

The Wolves' backfield had their eyes on a swivel as Enzo LaGrassa-Gillet (Miami Beach, Fla.), Jonathan Buxton (Windsor, Conn.) and Manny Catarino (Danbury, Conn.) dominated defensively by disrupting UMD's offense through 90 minutes of action. The Corsairs only attempted six total shots, all on net, as Smith denied them all for his ninth win of the season and his second shutout. WestConn sprayed the sky with 21 shots, but only had nine on goal as Donahue sent seven away. The home team had a slight 6-4 corner kick advantage.