Box Score UMBC Men's Soccer Takes Down Albany, 3-1 on #UMBCHomecoming
Baltimore, Md.— UMBC men's soccer used a big offensive night to defeat the defending America East Champions, Albany, 3-1 on Saturday night. The Retrievers (7-3-3, 2-1-1 AE) got goals from three different players, including a penalty kick from senior Sammy Kahsai (Hyattsville, Md./Northwestern) in the win.
UMBC moves to 7-3-3, 2-1-1 AE while the Great Danes fall to 9-4-0, 2-2-0 AE on the year.
James Gielen (Edgewater, Md./DeMatha) had the first good chance of the game, getting a shot from distance that had to be saved in the 21st minute. Just nine minutes later, Kahsai got the scoring started.
After a penalty was called in the box, the senior midfielder calmly placed home the penalty kick to give UMBC a 1-0 lead. The goal was his fourth of the season, and second PK of the season.
The Great Danes responded with a pair of shots in the box, but each time the Retriever defense stood tall, blocking away the attempts. Kahsai had another chance late in the half, but again Albany keeper Danny Vitiello made the save.
Albany led in shots, 5-4 after the first 45 minutes, as both keepers made two saves in the first half.
The Retrievers opened the second half on a strong note, as freshman Matt Bailey (Stevensville, Md./Saints Peter and Paul) had a shot from point blank range, but his attempt was knocked over the bar by Vitiello.
Gielen would add to the Retriever lead just minutes later, gathering the rebound off a Cormac Noel (Todmorden, England) shot, and put it home to give UMBC a 2-0 lead on his second goal of the year.
The Great Danes cut the deficit in half in the 60th minute, as Afonso Pinherio took a pass from Reid Conde through the box to make it 2-1. However the Retrievers would respond late with goal in the closing minutes.
Sophomore Tre Pulliam (Baltimore, Md./Archbishop Curley) took a long pass from Jon Bell (Silver Spring, Md./Richard Montgomery), finding himself one-on-one with Vitiello. Pulliam got around the Great Dane keeper, placing home his second tally of the season, capping the 3-1 UMBC victory with a back-flip after the goal.
UMBC outshot the Great Danes, 12-11, as Kahsai, Bailey and Pulliam each had two shots. Freshman keeper Ciaran O'Loughlin picked up his sixth win of the year, making two saves in the win.
The Retrievers will have a short turnaround before hosting Delaware on Tuesday, Oct. 17. Kickoff with the Blue Hens is set for 7 p.m.
