BALTIMORE—UMBC freshman midfielder Katie Gitlin (Owings, Md./Northern) scored her first career goal and sophomore goalkeeper Mo Van Vlerah (Ijamsville, Md./Northwest) posted a career-high 10 saves as the Retrievers (0-4-1) tied with George Washington (2-3-2) Friday evening in their home opener at UMBC Stadium.
Late in the 36th minute, the Retrievers were awarded a corner kick, which freshman back Aly Gazarek (Manassas, Va./Freedom/South Florida) sent to Gitlin, who headed the ball to the left of Colonial keeper Bridget Mahon for the 1-0 lead, which UMBC carried into halftime.
But just 18 seconds into the second period, George Washington midfielder Taryn Dietrich took the ball down the left side and beat Van Vlerah one-on-one to tie the match. The teams combined for 10 more shots in the half, but none found their mark, sending the game into overtime.
The Retrievers took the only shot of the first extra period, a header by junior midfielder Sandra Vacarino (Mantua, N.J./Clearview Regional) that was blocked by a George Washington defender.
The Colonials controlled the next 10 minutes, but all three shots were saved by Van Vlerah, including one with 53 seconds remaining.
Mahon stopped three shots in 110 minutes between the pipes for George Washington.
The Colonials outshot the Retrievers, 14-7, and held a 10-4 advantage on corner kicks.
The Retrievers return to action on Tuesday, Sept. 22, when they take on regional rival George Mason in Fairfax, Va.
NOTES: It was UMBC's first overtime game since Oct. 7, 2007, at Maine… It was the Retrievers' first tie since Sept. 21, 2007, at Sacred Heart… After recording back-to-back seven-save efforts, Van Vlerah has averaged 8.0 saves per game over her last three contests… The tie snapped UMBC's four-game losing streak.
