March 31, 1917 – Fall River Rovers 2:0 Pan-Americans, Times Cup (Att.: 2,000)

Goals from Underwood and Swords give Fall River Rovers a 2-0 win over the Pan-Americans before a 2,000 crowd. Less than two months later, the Rovers would go on to become the first New England team to win the U.S. Open Cup. Thomas Swords, a Fall River native who had captained the U.S. national team in its first game on a tour to Sweden in 1916, scored the deciding goal in a 1-0 victory over Bethlehem Steel for the U.S. Open Cup title in Pawtucket, R.I., on May 5, 1917.

Also on March 31, 1917: United Shoe MAA 10:0 Haverhill at McKay Street Grounds in Beverly (Alex Black 7 goals, Hollings 3); New Bedford 2:1 Compton (New Bedford maintained Southern New England League lead as Shaw scored twice).

TODAY IN NEW ENGLAND SOCCER HISTORY