Junior forward Derek McElligott scored in the sixth minute of play, as the UMBC Retrievers (10-1-5, 5-0-3) clinched a place in the America East Men's Soccer Tournament as they held off Boston University (8-6-3, 3-1-3), 1-0, in a league match-up held at UMBC Soccer Stadium.
The win extended UMBC's unbeaten streak to nine (6-0-3) and snapped BU's unbeaten skein at seven (4-1-3). At 5-0-3, the Retrievers have 18 points in the league and would win the regular season with a win at Maine next Saturday. UMBC is assured of finishing no lower than third for the six-team tournament which begins on November 5.
McElligott recorded his 15th goal of the season on the game's first shot. UMBC turned away a Terrier threat, and senior midfielder Mike Joseph carried the ball into BU territory, when he sent a ball over the defense. McElligott ran it down, and curled a 10-yard shot past Terrier netminder Zach Riffett and just inside the near left post.
The America East's two most explosive teams were true to form in the second half, combining for 17 shots and several good scoring opportunities. McElligott hit the post on a header with 38 minutes remaining and Riffett was positioned well on several other UMBC opportunities. UMBC netminder Andy Marchica denied BU midfielder Sedrick Chin, deflecting a shot just wide of the goal in the 82nd minute. With 1:40 to play, Chin found himself on the back post with an open net, but hooked his nine-yard shot wide of the goal.
UMBC recorded its tenth win in a season for the fifth time in six years. Marchica notched his eighth shutout of the season and fourth in the last five games. He made four saves, all in the second half, to earn the shutout, while Riffett made all of his five saves in the final.45 minutes.
