Towson, Md.—The UMBC men's soccer team produced a furious
late rally, but could not overcome a three-goal deficit and fell at
Towson, 5-3, in the Tigers' home opener.
The Retrievers fell to 2-1-0 on the season and lost for the
first time in September since the 2008 season. Towson
improved to 3-0-0 and squared the all-time Division I series at
6-6-1 with their beltway rivals.
The Retrievers trailed, 4-1, with under 15 minutes remaining and
were subbing liberally when the guests struck for two goals in less
than three minutes. Junior forward Andrew
Bulls (Millersville, Md./McDonogh) scored his first goal
of the season, banging in a rebound of a Milo
Kapor (Woodbridge, Ont./Emily Carr) in the
77th minute.
UMBC kept on the attack and sophomore midfielder Mark
Lubetkin (Livingston, N.J./Livingston) was taken down in
the box. Senior midfielder Levi
Houapeu (Germantown, Md./Watkins Mill) drilled the ensuing
penalty kick into the left corner and the Retrievers were within a
goal with 10:39 remaining.
It was Houapeu's second goal of the game and fourth in three
games to date.
But the visitors could not manage a quality opportunity
down the stretch and Towson took advantage on a counter attack,
scoring the insurance goal with exactly two minutes to play.
UMBC's last September loss occurred at Towson on September 17,
2008, as the Tigers won a 2-1 decision. The Retrievers
are 14-2-1 over the past three campaigns in September.
The Retrievers dug a 2-0 hole in the first 19 minutes, before
Houapeu got on the board. Junior defender Vince
Savarese (Perry Hall, Md./Archbishop Curley) had a deep
throw-in and freshman forward Pete Caringi
III (Baltimore, Md./Calvert Hall) flicked it onto Houapeu, who
buried a shot from seven yards out in the
34th minute.
But Towson strung together their best passing play of the game
and went back up by two goals just 140 seconds after the Houapeu
score.
UMBC outshot Towson, 15-11, but five of six Tiger shots on goal
found the net.
The Retrievers head to Annapolis to take on Navy on Saturday,
Sept. 11 at 8:00 p.m.
