-The UMBC women's soccer team (4-6-1) snapped its four-game losing streak and its three-game scoring drought Wednesday afternoon with a 4-0 victory over host Howard (0-9).
The Retrievers jumped on the board early, as sophomore back Kali Schwartz notched an unassisted goal just 4:39 into the game for her second goal of the season. Junior back Casey Smith posted her first career goal about nine minutes before halftime, at the 25:50 mark. Senior midfielder Christie Sikorski and sophomore midfielder Cara Palmer were credited with assists.
UMBC took a 2-0 lead into halftime, and Howard goalie DeLaine Anderson was able to hold off a barrage of Retriever shots for about 30 minutes until Palmer found the back of the net in the 72nd minute for her first goal of the season.
Just five minutes later, freshman midfielder Arielle Tagger scored a final insurance goal at the 76:41 mark, her third score of the year, to give the Retrievers the 4-0 victory.
Senior Robin Babaris and sophomore Christine Bacinski split time in the net for the Retrievers, with Babaris not recording a save in the first half and Bacinski stopping two shots in the second. Anderson recorded five saves in 90 minutes for the Bison.
UMBC out-shot Howard, 20-5, including 13-3 in the second half. The Bison managed only two shots on goal, both saved by Bacinski. The Retrievers held a 2-1 advantage on corner kicks.
With their five-game road trip now concluded, the Retrievers return home Sunday, Oct. 1, to host America East rival Stony Brook at 1 p.m. at UMBC Soccer Stadium.
