, Del.—Sophomore midfielder Danielle Kell (Willards, Md./Parkside) tallied a goal and an assist and the UMBC women's soccer team (1-8-1) used four second-half goals to earn its first victory of the season, a 4-1 decision over Delaware State (1-9-0) Friday evening at the Hornets' Alumni Stadium.
"Everything we have been working on was rewarded tonight," head coach Alyssa Radu said. "The girls stuck together and kept focused on the game plan. Their patience paid off as the game wore on. Our offense was balanced, and we stayed organized in back."
The Hornets got on the board first when midfielder La Toya Lesane headed in a free kick by midfielder Theresa Wappett late in the 26th minute. Despite getting outshot, 8-1, in the period, Delaware State took the 1-0 lead into halftime.
But the Retrievers drew even in the 54th minute on a rocket shot by junior midfielder Elyse Bilardo (Aston, Pa./Sun Valley) that beat Hornet keeper Brittany Curtis to her right from 25 yards away. The goal was the first of Bilardo's career.
Just one minute later, Kell sent a cross from the left flank to freshman back Aly Gazarek (Manassas, Va./Freedom/South Florida), who put the Retrievers on top with her first career goal and the eventual game-winner.
In the 79th minute, junior midfielder Megan McDonald (Wyoming, Pa./Dallas) chipped in a perfect lob from 35 yards out for her fist career tally, which gave UMBC a 3-1 advantage.
With less than three minutes remaining, substitute Hornet goalie Courtney Haas saved a shot by UMBC freshman forward Rachel McKee (Ellicott City, Md./Mount Hebron), but Kell put away the rebound to account for the 4-1 final score.
"We hope to build off this result as we prepare for a tough conference game on Sunday," Radu said.
The four goals were the most scored by the Retrievers since a 4-3 victory at Albany on Oct. 26, 2008, which was also UMBC's last win.
The Retrievers outshot the Hornets, 23-3, including 15-2 in the second half. Sophomore goalie Mo Van Vlerah (Ijamsville, Md./Northwest) recorded one save, while Curtis stopped six shots in 82 minutes and Haas saved two in the final eight.
The Retrievers return to action on Sunday, Oct. 4, when they host America East rival Vermont at 1 p.m. at UMBC Soccer Stadium.
