AMHERST - University of Massachusetts coach Sam Koch has heard nearly all the labels. The Minutemen men's soccer team is a group of overachieving outsiders, unseeded underdogs. After a 2-1 win over Illinois-Chicago yesterday, UMass can add NCAA College Cup party-crashers to that list.
"I've definitely heard comments like we don't belong and none of our coaches has MLS experience," Koch said. "But the coed league in Northampton is tough and the coaches are good. Do we believe we can go forward and beat people? I think we can."
The Minutemen (17-7-1), who will continue their improbable run with a semifinal match against fifth-seeded Ohio State in Cary, N.C., Friday, broke a 1-1 tie when Mike DeSantis converted in the 80th minute, an opportunistic finish into an open goal against the run of play following a throw-in. The goal brought an emotional response from the record Rudd Field crowd of 1,863, several of whom joined the Minutemen on the field for a postmatch celebration.
"It's a blur," DeSantis said when asked to recount the scoring sequence. "I made a back-post run, it was a set piece. I think it was a corner." - It was a throw-in - "The ball came through and I was there. Before that, they were giving it to us. But we wanted it more and we knew a goal was going to come."
The Flames (13-6-6) presented a skillful midfield and dominated possession for most of the match. UMass played a more direct style, capitalized on mistakes, and relied on its central defense to stifle the Flames' attack and center back Kenny Cook to provide a threat on set pieces.
Right wing Greg Cirillo launched the attacks to set up both UMass goals. After collecting a giveaway from Cesar Zambrano at the halfway line, Cirillo went near the corner flag before delivering a cross that Mark DeSantis flicked on to Stuart Amick, who finished in the 48th minute. It was the first goal in the run of play allowed by UIC goalkeeper Jovan Bubonja in more than eight games, since Oct. 29.
Left back Mike Giffin tied the score with a half-volley rocket off a corner kick in the 59th minute. Then, with the Flames taking control of midfield, Cirillo made a sliding stop on Giffin near the halfway line and found substitute forward Prince Ofosu, who won a throw-in. Cook moved into the offense to provide a target for Doug Rappaport's throw, Cirillo making a near-post run to center the ball for the deciding goal.
"I just wanted to keep it inbounds, then get it to the forwards," Cirillo said of his tackle on the deciding sequence. "[Rappaport] made a long throw and it bounced out to me. It's the stuff we've been doing all year.
"The final four is something I've dreamed about. I never expected this four years ago."
The Minutemen then had to hold off an even more offense-minded Flame team, as defenders Alen Husidic and Pat McMahon moved forward, both sending open shots high from long range.
UIC produced the best first-half chance, a Charlie Trout free kick finding Zambrano, whose shot was cleared off the line by Mike DeSantis in the 32d minute. UMass leading scorer Bryan Hogan's chances were limited to a half volley in the opening minutes and a low, testing shot early in the second half.
After UMass took a 1-0 lead, Pavle Dundjer earned a free kick on a controversial handball call 20 yards from the UMass goal, his dipping shot then tipped over the bar by goalkeeper Zack Simmons to set up the corner kick and tying goal. The Flames were controlling the tempo, setting up a Zambrano blast that was blocked by Chris Brown in the 67th minute and a Baggio Husidic shot that was saved by Simmons in the 73d.
"With 15 minutes left they looked at each other and said, 'Guys, this is it,' " UIC coach John Trask said of the Minutemen.
Before this year, the Minutemen had qualified for the NCAA event only once, going one and out in 2001. Their history was not the only thing working against the Minutemen, though. Only two Bay State schools had reached the NCAA final four, the most recent the 1987 Harvard team.
"We're still underdogs," Mike DeSantis said. "On some of the blogs they are saying, 'Are they still here?' But after this game, I'm not surprised. We've beaten some top teams and we're confident we can keep going."
In Columbus, Ohio., Xavier Balc tallied twice for the Buckeyes, who scored four goals in a 12-minute span in the second half to oust Bradley, 4-0.
Frank Dell'Apa can be reached at f_dellapa@globe.com.
