Albany, N.Y.- For the second time in three league contests, UMBC
held a late lead, but let it slip away, falling, 2-1, to host
Albany at the Plumeri Sports Complex.
UMBC slipped to 5-4-4 overall and 0-2-1 in America East play,
while Albany snapped an eight-game losing streak, improving to
3-9-0, 1-2-0.
After a defensive-oriented first half, UMBC came out strong in
the second half, getting three early corner kicks. The Retrievers
cashed in in the 60th minute, as senior Dave Vaeth
(Dundalk, Md./Patapsco) drove the ball deep into the box, where
junior forward Pete Caringi
(Perry Hall, Md./Calvert Hall) hit a low shot which beat UA
netminder Tim Allen and gave the visitors a 1-0 advantage.
It was Caringi's fifth score of season and first since Sept.
19.
UMBC continued to press the attack, but Albany countered for the
tying goal in the 76thminute. After Retriever midfielder
Milo Kapor (Toronto, Ont./Emily Carr) had a shot blocked, UA
reversed the flow and scored 19 seconds later on a finish by Philip
Persson.
Great Dane Kristian Alexieff then got the game-winning goal with
8:08 to play on an unassisted strike to the right corner of the
cage.
UMBC attempted three shots in the final four minutes, but could
not get the ball on frame and lost for the fourth time in five
visits to Albany .
The Retrievers outshot Albany, 9-7, including 8-5 in the second
half. Junior goalkeeper Phil Saunders
(Perry Hall, Md./Perry Hall) and his counterpart Tim Allen were
each credited with three saves.
UMBC led Vermont, 1-0, but allowed two goals in the
final seven minutes to fall, 2-1, to the
Catamounts.
UMBC returns home for Saturday's pivotal Homecoming contest vs.
Boston University. The afternoon start time is set for 3:00
p.m.
