Piscataway, N.J. Junior midfielder Bobby Stockton (Ponte Vedra, Fla./Nease) scored three goals, including the eventual game-winner, as No. 19 UMBC (1-1) edged host Rutgers, 6-5, in a nail-biter played in cold and blustery conditions at RU's Turf Field.
The Retrievers never trailed, but could not shake the hosts, who tied the game four times before the lone two-goal run of the game.
After Rutgers (1-1) Will Mangan tied the game at 4-4 with 7:51 remaining in the fourth quarter, UMBC senior attackman Matt Latham (Eldersburg,Md./Liberty) converted a Kyle Wimer (Lancaster, Pa./Hempfield) feed to give the Retrievers a 5-4 lead with 6:26 to play. Stockton recorded an unassisted goal with 4:18 to play, but Rutgers senior midfielder Justin Pennington brought the Scarlet Knights back to within a goal by scoring with 2:06 to play.
UMBC won the ensuing face-off, but committed a turnover and RU had three chances to tie the in the final minute, but Retriever freshman goalkeeper Adam Cohen (Arnold, Md./The Severn School) made a save with 57 seconds to play and Pennington misfired on two chances in the final 17 seconds.
Wimer kept his point-scoring streak alive at 21 as he contributed a pair of assists, while sophomore midfielder Rob Grimm (Black River, N.Y./Carthage) had a goal and a helper.
Junior face-off specialist J.D. Harkey (Purcellville, Va./Loudon Valley) excelled, capturing 10 of 13 draws in the game and gathering a game-high seven ground balls.
Senior attackman Chris Jones (Martinsville, N.J./Bridgewater-Raritan) gave UMBC a 1-0 lead 2:40 into the game and after the Knights tied the game at the 4:06 mark, Stockton scored his first of the day at 10:37 to give UMBC a 2-1 lead after one quarter.
There was no scoring in the second quarter and the Scarlet Knights outscored UMBC, 2-1, in the third quarter to send the game to the final 15 minutes tied at 3-3.
Stockton scored three goals vs. Delaware last Saturday and leads the Retrievers with six on the young season.
Cohen, making his first career start, made six saves for the game, as UMBC was outshot by Rutgers, 26-23.
UMBC returns home to host No. 4 North Carolina on Saturday, March 6.
