La Salle capitalized on its scoring chances and UMBC (1-4-1) 2-0 in the Drexel Invitational. Sophomore keeper Dan Pfeiffer picked up the shutout in his first start of the season for the Explorers (2-3).
The teams played to a scoreless draw in the first 45 minutes as both squads played tentatively to find scoring opportunities. The Explorers finally broke through in the 63rd minute when Brian Barry placed a pass that hit Michael Lehr in full stride on the right side of the penalty box. Lehr let the ball bounce once before volleying it past UMBC's keeper Steve King for a 1-0 lead.
The goal seemed to deflate the Retrievers as La Salle put two more balls into the box immediately following the goal and connected for another score just over a minute after the first tally. Jeremy Ortiz and Walter McMahon worked a give-and-go play at the top of the penalty box and Ortiz deposited the ball to give La Sallea 2-0 advantage.
UMBC fought to stay in the game and nearly got on the board with five minutes remaining when Kevin Gnatiko carried the ball near the end line and crossed it in front of the goal. But a diving La Salle defender reached the ball at the same time as the UMBC attacker to stave off the would-be score.
Pfeiffer made five saves for his first shutout of the season. King stopped six for the Retrievers.
