Video Highlights
BALTIMORE – First-place Vermont held off a gritty UMBC comeback effort and prevailed, 3-1, in ideal autumn conditions at Retriever Soccer Park.
The Catamounts maintained their grip on first place in the conference with their sixth consecutive victory and improved to 9-5-1 overall and 6-2-0 in America East play. UMBC fell to 5-8-3, 1-6-1.
After allowing two late first half goals, UMBC played inspired soccer in the second half and halved the Catamounts lead on junior Juliana Rafaniello's (Old Bridge, N.J.) sixth goal of the season in the 66'. The Retrievers continued to apply pressure, but could not get the equalizer and Vermont sealed the win with a late score.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Vermont maintained a slight territorial edge in the early going, but UMBC made several forays, which did not result in good scoring chances.
- But the Catamounts struck twice in the final 9:09 of the first half, netting goals in the 36' and 43'.
- UMBC came out energized in the second half and cashed in on a 30-yard upper left corner beauty by Rafaniello. Freshman Esther Juretzka (Bonn, Germany) earned an assist on the play.
- UMBC junior midfielder Caroline Koutsos (Boyds, Md./Good Counsel) served several excellent balls down the stretch. Junior Natasha Munro (Burlington, Ont.) had UMBC's best chance on one of those efforts in the 79', but could not direct a shot on goal from close range.
- The Catamounts scored the insurance marker just two minutes later.
- direct kick from 30 yards out was parried over the crossbar by Saylor.
NOTABLE
- UMBC freshman goalkeeper Abbey Cowles (Colts Neck, N.J.) allowed her first goals at home this season after 220 minutes of scoreless soccer. She made two saves in the game.
UMBC concludes the season when they host Stony Brook on Thursday, Oct. 28. Seniors Megan Chun (Clarksville, Md./River Hill) and Morgan Rees (Ardmore, Pa.) will be honored before the game and graduate student Erin Stevenson (Sellersville, Pa.) will also be recognized for her illustrious UMBC career.
