BALTIMORE- UMBC's primary offensive targets Pete Caringi III (Perry Hall, Md./Calvert Hall) and Andrew Bulls (Millersville, Md./McDonogh) scored in a five-minute stretch deep into the second half as the host Retrievers rallied to edge Albany, 2-1, in the America East Conference opener for both squads.

UMBC, the defending conference champions, improved to 4-3-2 overall, while Albany lost its third straight and slipped to 4-5-0. The Retrievers are 5-1-3 in nine home openers in America East play.

Bulls was named UMBC's America East Player of the Game as he recorded his 15^th career game-winning goal. Albany senior goalkeeper Adiran Foncette was spectacular in goal, keeping the visitors in the game with 15 saves, including a stop on a penalty klck, and earned the honor for his side.

Temperatures dipped into the low 50's by game time and a steady, wind-whipped rain fell for most of the match. UMBC controlled play in the first 45 minutes, outshooting their guests, 8-1, but, for the seventh time in nine games in 2011, the contest was scoreless at the break.

For the sixth consecutive game, the Retrievers conceded the first goal. On an Albany counterattack,  the Danes had a shot blocked, but the rebound came out to freshman midfielder Pomare Te Anau, who blasted a shot home just under the crossbar from 20 yards out.  Te Anau's third goal of the year occurred in the 62^nd minute.

After Foncette saved UMBC sophomore defender Daniel Welsh's (Fife, Scotland) penalty kick attempt in the 64^th minute, the Retrievers finally broke the ice seven minutes later. Junior midfielder Milo Kapor (Toronto, Ont.) played a ball from the right side to the left, where freshman midfielder Jordan Becker (Pocomoke City, Md.) centered it into the box. Caringi redirected the pass beyond the reach of Foncette and into the net from seven yards away.

The game-winner occurred in the 77^th minute when Kapor took a pass from Caringi and struck a left-footed shot from the 18 which got past a charging Foncette, but gently struck the far left post. Bulls hustled to the rebound and tapped it in to give UMBC the lead for good.

UMBC outshot Albany, 22-7, and the Danes had a pair of team saves to go along with Foncette's 15 stops. Retriever senior goalkeeper Dan Louisignau (Wilmington, Del.) made four saves to earn the victory.

Bulls put all 10 of his game-high shots on frame.  He became the fourth player in school history to reach the 90-point plateau and the ninth to score 30 career goals. He is the first "30-30" player in UMBC school history.

UMBC has won three straight vs. Albany and improved to 5-3-1 in the all-time series and 4-0-1 in Baltimore.

The Retrievers host non-conference foe Bucknell on Tuesday, Oct. 4 at Retriever Soccer Park.