Williamsburg, Va.—UMBC's most successful season in men's
soccer history came to a bitter end today, as host William &
Mary advanced to the third round of NCAA Men's Soccer Championships
by virtue of penalty kicks, 4-3.
After 110 minutes of action, the contest finished in a 0-0
double overtime draw.
In the 66th minute, UMBC had the match's best
opportunity to score, as Levi
Houapeu (Germantown, Md./Watkins Mill) was taken down in
the box by Tribe keeper Andrew McAdams. The penalty kick was
awarded, but McAdams saved the shot at the high middle part of the
net, and the Retriever forward's rebound effort went over the
net.
Junior midfielder Andrew
Bulls opened penalty kicks with a score, but the Tribe
evened the score after one round. Then, Houapeu tried to pick a
similar spot, but McAdams again stayed in his spot and denied the
kick.
The Tribe did not miss in their next three attempts, despite
UMBC goalkeeper Dan
Louisignau(Wilmington, Del./Concord/Virginia) getting his hand
on the second shot. Chris
Williams(Baltimore, Md./Calvert Hall) and Daniel
Welsh (Fife, Scotland) converted their attempts, but UMBC
trailed, 4-3, after four rounds. John Paul
Waraksa (Media, Pa.), who netted the deciding penalty kick
in the conference title game eight days ago, fired high of the mark
and the Tribe survived UMBC's upset bid.
UMBC completes its season at 12-4-4, while ninth-ranked Williams
& Mary is now 15-3-3
Both teams pushed the attack in the first half, but could not
dent the scoreboard. Louisignau made two outstanding stops, leaping
to snare Alan Koger's drive for the far right corner in the tenth
minute and parrying a shot over the bar in the
20th minute. UMBC's best chance occurred late in
the half, when Houapeu drove the left endline and his low cross
ended up in a blocked shot in deep by Danny
Shannon (Frederick, Md.).
Louisignau made six saves in the UMBC nets.
The Retrievers won their first America East title this season
and won a first round NCAA Tournament game at
10th-ranked Princeton on Nov. 18.
