BALTIMORE- The UMBC men's soccer team played its first scoreless
draw of the 2011 campaign, as they drew 0-0 in two overtimes with
visiting Bucknell in a non-conference played at
Retriever Soccer Park.
The Retrievers have a modest two-game unbeaten streak and are
4-3-3 on the campaign, while Bucknell is winless in three straight
and stay at the .500 mark with a 5-5-1 record.
UMBC posted its first shutout since a 1-0 win over Fairleigh
Dickinson on Sept. 3. Senior goalkeeper Dan Louisignau
(Wilmington, Del.) made three saves to record his ninth career
shutout.
Bucknell outshot UMBC, 13-11 and Bison senior goalkeeper Tommy
Caso earned the shutout with a five-save effort.
The 0-0 result was UMBC's first since the 2010 America East
title game vs. New Hampshire on Nov. 13.
The Retrievers' best first half chance occurred in the
37th minute, when Caso made a sliding save of
sophomore midfielder Stephen Ho's (North
Potomac, Md./Wootton) short range attempt.
Neither team could mount consistent pressure in the second half,
but Bucknell nearly won it in the first minute of overtime when
Luke Joyner's header from close range went wide of the right
post. UMBC responded with three shots in the in the
final three minutes of the first ten-minute extra session, and
freshman Michael
DiCesare (Westerville, Ohio) tested Caso with a 16-yard shot
from the right wing, but the Bison netminder deflected the shot
over the end line.
Bucknell had two corners and the lone shot of the second extra
period, but could not come away with the road victory.
UMBC had won the first-ever meeting between the two schools,
2-1, in Lewisburg, Pa. in 2010.
The Retrievers get back to America East Conference play when
they travel to Boston U. to take on the Terriers in a Saturday
matineé.