It was a long, hard season for Pilgrim graduate Devin Ramos, but the former Patriot goalkeeper had a joyous swan song alongside his Becker teammates as the Hawks took on Wheelock on Saturday.

After enduring a harrowing September that saw the defeats pile up, the Becker 11 showed noticeable improvement in October, including a breakthrough 1-0 triumph over Southern Vermont on Oct. 8.

Ramos made four saves to preserve the shutout over the Mountaineers, picking up his first win at the collegiate level in the process.

A second victory proved elusive until the Hawks flew past the Wildcats 3-0 in the finale for both sides, with leading goal-scorer Calvin Kamuhangi breaking the deadlock in the 53rd minute.

Ryan Jacksin and Andrew Agen added insurance goals later in the second half to end Becker’s 2016 campaign on a high.

Ramos had a quiet day between the sticks, only notching a pair of stops as the Wheelock attack was kept at bay by an inspired Hawk back line.

Despite the lack of activity to end the campaign, the sophomore netminder notched 165 saves throughout the season, good for second in the New England Collegiate Conference.

Pilgrim grads connect on deciding goal

The UMass-Dartmouth women’s soccer team clinched a home quarterfinal on Saturday, upending Plymouth State 2-0 thanks to key contributions from a pair of Pilgrim graduates.

Erica Hammond drilled a free kick into the penalty area just past the 10-minute mark of the first half, finding the head of Nicole Starkey-Cox for her first goal of the season to put the Corsairs on the path to victory.

Despite finishing the regular season with a 6-11-2 record, UMass-Dartmouth earned a home Little East Conference tournament quarterfinal and will take on Plymouth State again on Tuesday.

Should the Corsairs advance past the Panthers, they will take on regular season champion Eastern Connecticut in the semifinals this Thursday.

Phillips recognized for performance

Former Hendricken standout Paul Phillips once again earned conference-wide recognition this season for his feats on the soccer pitch, earning a place on the all-North Atlantic Conference second team.

The former Hawk - now winding down his collegiate career at Castleton - picked up a pair of goals and three assists this fall, helping the Spartans achieve an 8-8-2 record.

All but one of Castleton’s victories came in conference play, which helped it earn first-round bye in the NAC tournament.

The Spartans host New England College on Tuesday in the semifinals, with the winner advancing to play either Thomas or Husson in the championship match this upcoming Saturday.