WASHINGTON, D.C.—American midfielder Brooke Sheppard found the back of the net midway through the first half, and the goal stood up as the host Eagles (2-8-0) defeated the UMBC women's soccer team (1-6-1) by a score of 1-0 Sunday afternoon at Reeves Field.

UMBC freshman goalie Lauren Kadet (Oakville, Ontario/Sir Thomas Aquinas) got a hand on Sheppard's high shot from 30 yards out in the 20th minute, but she was unable to make the save, as it trickled over the goal line for a 1-0 American lead.

The Retrievers' best scoring opportunity came in the 61st minute when freshman midfielder Nicole Clark (Ellicott City, Md./Howard) blasted a rocket from 25 yards out that appeared destined for the back of the net. But American keeper Lindsey Farthing got a hand on the shot, deflected it upwards, where it struck the crossbar, and the Eagle defense was able to clear the zone to preserve the hosts' one-goal advantage.

The Eagles outshot the Retrievers, 27-13, but both teams took four shots on goal. Kadet finished with three saves in the game, while Farthing stopped four shots.

The Retrievers return to action on Wednesday, when they visit cross-town rival Loyola at 5 p.m.