Baltimore, MD - Freshman midfielder Matt Watson scored just 4:09 into the contest as UMBC (8-6-3, 4-5 America East) defeated Hartford (2-11-4, 0-6-3), 1-0, in what ended up as the final game of the campaign for both teams.
UMBC was, however, eliminated from the six-team playoff race as both Vermont and Stony Brook won 2-1 decisions over New Hampshire and Northeastern respectively.
UMBC pressed the attack early, and freshman back Bryan Moffa (Baltimore, Md,/Eastern Tech) lead Watson down the right wing. Watson cut toward the goal, and knocked in a bouncing ball pastHartford netminder Ryan Carr and inside the far post. It was Watson's fourth goal of the season.
The Retrievers dominated the game, outshooting the Hawks, 16-7 and taking 10 corners to Hartford's 3. Each team hit the crossbar once, as the iron denied Hartford's Maurizio Silvestri in the ninth minute, and UMBC's Kevin Mezzadra in the second half. UMBC netminder Andy Marchica made 3 saves for his fourth solo shutout of the season, while Carr had 5 saves in the Hawk goal.
The Retrievers finished their home schedule at 6-0-2, and have extended their regular season home unbeaten streak to 20 at 14-0-6, dating back to a 2002 early season loss vs. Navy. They also guaranteed their their seventh straight winning season, however their streak of earning a spot in their league's post-season tournament came to an end at nine straight (1995-2003).
