Box Score Video Highlights
BALTIMORE- For the second consecutive game, UMBC senior forward
Pete Caringi (Perry Hall, Md./Calvert Hall) scored a pair of goals,
leading the Retrievers to identical 3-1 victories. After netting a
pair vs. Seattle on Friday evening, he scored two second half goals
in sweltering conditions to give the hosts a 3-1 victory over UNLV
in the Springhill Suites Arundel Mills BWI Kick-Off Classic at
Retriever Soccer Park.
UMBC (2-0-0) takes the classic title with a +4 goal
differential, compared to +3 from Delaware, which also posted
victories over UNLV (0-2-0) and Seattle (0- 2-0).
Caringi scored career goals 29 and 30 in the game and has moved
into a tie for ninth place on UMBC's all-time goal-scoring
list.
Both team struggled with the conditions in the opening stage of
play, but each side found the net in the final five minutes of the
first half. UMBC midfielder Geaton Caltabiano (Lothian, Md./Mt. St.
Joseph) was awarded a free kick after a Rebel handball just ouside
the box in the 41st minute. He expertly hooked his shot
around the UNLV wall and the effort eluded Rebel keeper Joe Vitale
and tucked inside the left post.
But the visitors replied with just 1:20 to play in the stanza.
Junior Salvadore Bernal beat his UMBC mark down the left goal line
and his centering pass was redirected by sophomore back Corey
Ackley past UMBC goalkeeper Phil Saunders (Perry Hall, Md./Perry
Hall) from close range.
The game was knotted at 1-1 at the break, but it took the
Retrievers just 23 seconds to take the lead for good. Junior
midfielder Stephen Ho (North Potomac, Md./Wooton) hit a routine
serve into the box, but Vitale mishandled it and Caringi pounced on
the loose ball, tapping home the game-winning goal.
The 2012 America East Striker of the Year scored an insurance
goal in the 67th minute. Once again, Ho created danger
and he was loose on the right flank and crossed a ball into the
box. Caringi was taken down in his effort to get to the ball and
was awarded a penalty kick. Vitale went to his right, but Caringi's
shot to the keeper's left along the ground found the goal.
Dating back to 2012, the Retrievers extended their unbeaten
streak to 11 (8-0-3), which is the longest since a 21-game streak
(19-0-2) in 1999.
UNLV outshot UMBC, 12-9, but there was only one save (Vitale)
recorded in the contest.
Caringi recorded his sixth career multiple-goal effort as UMBC
improved to 4-0-0 in career meetings with UNLV.
The Retrievers have now compiled a record of 22-4-6 in their
kick-off classics since 1997.
UMBC gets back to action on Thursday, Sept. 5 when they host
Central Connecticut State in the Hampton Inn BWI Classic opener.
Kick-off time is 7:00 p.m.
Notes: Caringi was named the classic's Most Valuable Player,
while Caltabiano, senior midfielder Kadeem Dacres (Rosedale, N.Y.)
and junior back Oumar Ballo (Baltimore, Md./Archbishop
Curley/CCBC-Essex) also earned All-Tournament team honors.
