Burlington, VT - The 23rd-ranked Vermont Catamounts (9-4-0, 2-2 America East) shook off Wednesday's 1-0 upset loss at Hartford and defeated a road-weary UMBC team (6-4-2, 3-1 America East), 4-0, at Centennial Field in soggy and cool conditions.
The loss snapped UMBC's six-game unbeaten streak and the Retrievers suffered their first shutout loss since the season opener. Pete Caringi's squad spent four of the last five days on buses and airplanes and managed a 1-0 double overtime win at Binghamton on Wednesday before today's setback.
Jesse Brady-Searby, who would score three of Vermont's four goals, got the game-winner at the 21:04 mark. UMBC freshman netminder Steve King had played the first 424 minutes of his career without allowing a goal until Brady-Searby scored on a rebound off a scramble in front. The Retrievers had not permitted a goal in 443 minutes, dating back to a Mt. St. Mary's goal on September 22.
Brady-Searby scored again on a cross at 27:11 and the Catamounts tacked on another score from point blank range in the 32nd minute. UMBC's best chance occurred when junior forward David Feazell, who scored Wednesday's game-winner, came in uncontested, but shot the ball over the goal.
Vermont, which scored again in the 82nd minute, outshot UMBC, 20-13, but the Retrievers only managed to put a pair of shots on goal. King made four saves and allowed all four goals, seeing his goals against average rise from 0.00 to 0.85. UMBC played without sophomore marking back Bryan Moffa, who is suffering from a foot injury.
Vermont defeated UMBC for the first time in three meetings, and had not scored in the previous two contests vs. the Retrievers.
The Retrievers return home for a non-conference game vs. Navy on Wednesday evening. UMBC will play five of its final six games at home, where they are unbeaten in 25 straight regular season games.
