BALTIMORE – The visiting Vermont Catamounts controlled possession nearly the entire final seven minutes of play and were able to maintain a 13-10 lead over the UMBC women's lacrosse team to the final whistle today at UMBC Stadium. The Retrievers fall to 8-7 overall, and 2-3 in America East conference play with just one game remaining before the championship tournament.

The Catamounts jumped out to a 6-1 lead halfway through the first and used that momentum to keep the Retrievers from taking the lead. UMBC cut the lead to just three goals by halftime, but Vermont kept pace with their hosts in the second and used long possessions to make sure UMBC could not build any momentum.

UMBC had a particularly hard time controlling draws against the Catamounts. The Retrievers came away with just seven controls in the game, while Vermont won a dominant 18. Despite the lack of success at the draw, the Retrievers were able to take as many shots as their visitors (27), but were limited to just nine shots in the second half.

Despite the loss, it was a record-breaking day for the Retrievers as junior attacker Sam Nolan (Fallston, Md./Fallston) reached UMBC's all-time top-ten in points and assists on a three goal, three assist game.

Junior goalkeeper Ashley Peacock (Crofton, Md./Elizabeth Seton/Louisville) tied her season high with 11 saves, many of which came from just outside the crease as the Catamounts had early success getting behind the Retrievers' defense.

With a 2-3 conference record, the Retrievers now sit just outside of the playoff picture as Vermont holds the head-to-head tiebreaker. UMBC will have to defeat the University of New Hampshire, currently third in the conference, at UMBC Stadium next week to have a shot at making the tournament.

They will need some help from Binghamton, who are 0-4 in conference play, to keep things simple. If the Bearcats defeat Vermont next week the Catamounts will be eliminated, as long as UMBC defeats New Hampshire. UMBC would then be in as the two-seed, with a 3-3 conference record and head-to-head advantage over New Hampshire.

The Retrievers host New Hampshire next Saturday, April 30, at UMBC Stadium for a "win and you're in" battle. Game time is set for 11 a.m.