BALTIMORE, Md. – Despite a move to UMBC Stadium and a weather delay, the UMBC women's soccer team (0-0-1) opened the 2017 season on Friday, August 18 with a 1-1 draw against the Towson Tigers (0-0-1) in the first round of the Battle of Baltimore.  The Retrievers lone goal came off the foot of senior Gabby Boehmer (Lebanon, Pa./Cedar Crest) in the second half of the game.

"I think any time you go down by a goal in the first five minutes and come out with a tie, you're happy about it," said UMBC women's soccer head coach Leslie Wray. "We kept fighting. We were down by a goal for the first half and we came out strong the second half."

The Tigers got out to a fast start with a goal in the fourth minute, but the Retrievers bounced back quickly with strong defense throughout the rest of the first half, including a great clear from freshman Meredith Webber (Yardley, Pa./Pennsbury).

The second half started with multiple offensive chances for UMBC, with shots from sophomore Nikki Saad (Hummelstown, Pa./Lower Dauphin) and freshman Erin Stevenson (Sellersville, Pa./Pennridge).  It took until the 62nd minute for the Retrievers to crack the scoreboard when Saad had a shot saved, but Boehmer was in the right place to put the rebound into the back of the net and tie the game, 1-1.

The Retrievers continued to put pressure on the Tiger's defense with shot attempts from Boehmer and Christina Corbi (Medford, N.J./Shawnee).  The defense was tested in the 74th minute, when Roth made back-to-back saves off the last two of three straight corner kicks for Towson.

The game went to double overtime, where both teams played strong defense throughout the two periods.  Stevenson contributed a shot on goal that led to a corner kick for the Retrievers late in the first overtime.

In goal for UMBC, junior Leah Roth (Valencia, Pa./Pine-Richland) made four saves while Towson's Taylor Sebalao made three stops. Stevenson led the Retrievers with four shots in her collegiate debut.

Overall, four freshmen (Stevenson, Webber, Corbi, and Evie Kenna) made their first appearances for UMBC in the draw.

UP NEXT FOR THE RETRIEVERS:  UMBC will hit the road for the second round of the Battle of Baltimore on Sunday to take on Mount St. Mary's at 4:00 PM.