UMBC junior midfielder Kadeem
Dacres (Rosedale, N.Y.) and Pete Caringi
III (Perry Hall, Md./Calvert Hall) scored goals in a
six-minute span early in the second half and junior goalkeeperPhil
Saunders (Perry Hall, Md./Perry Hall) preserved the
shutout by stopping a penalty kick with seven minutes remaining as
the host Retrievers blanked Loyola, 2-0, before 1,319 fans at
Retriever Soccer Park.
UMBC improved to 3-2-2 on the season, while Loyola slipped to
3-3-1.
Both goals were assisted by senior forward Milo
Kapor (Toronto, Ont./Emily Carr), who has seven helpers in
seven games this season.
UMBC outshot Loyola, 20-9, including 12-2 in the first half when
the game was scoreless. The Retrievers' previous high shot total
was 11 at Mount St. Mary's.
"The biggest difference is that we concentrated on offense the
last ten days," head coach Pete Caringi said. "We have been
emphasizing trying to score goals, trying to go forward and I
thought today it all came together."
The Retrievers struck first just 1:59 into the second half, as
Kapor received a pass from Dacres in the middle of the pitch and
the senior co-captain returned the favor, leading Dacres down the
left wing. The UMBC newcomer sprinted into the box and drilled a
ground-hugging shot inside the far post from 12 yards out.
In the 53rd minute, UMBC added an insurance
goal, which was initiated by sophomore right back Spencer
Williams (Germantown, Md./Watkins Mill). Williiams drove
inside from near the right sideline and led Kapor down towards the
corner. Caringi redirected Kapor's cross from nine yards away and
the shot beat Loyola netminder Thurman Van Riper to his right.
The goal was Caringi's team-leading fourth of the season.
Loyola put the pressure on late in the game and got the penalty
kick opportunity when UMBC was called for a handball in the box
after a Greyhound corner kick with 6:59 remaining. Connor Thompson
drilled his shot to Saunders' right, but the goalkeeper deflected
the attempt over the end line to preserve his third shutout of the
season and tenth of his career.
Saunders (20-11-2) also earned his 20th career
victory.
UMBC returns to action on Saturday when they face George
Washington University in Washington, D.C. Kick-off time is set for
3:00 p.m.
