Video Highlights

Orono, Maine - The UMBC women's soccer team opened their 18th season of America East Conference play with a 1-0 victory over Maine at in windy conditions at Mahaney Diamond.

The Retrievers improved to 4-2-2 overall, while Maine fell to 2-2-2.

Sophomore midfielder Grace Harvey (Gaithersburg, Md./Gaithersburg) scored the game's lone goal in the 34' and junior goalkeeper Morgan McGruder (Overland Park, Kan.) made nine saves to post her first career shutout.

"With it being conference play now, to win with a shutout really sends a message," said head coach Vanessa Mann. "I'm very proud of the 27 lades and their resilience. Our entire focus now is to prepare for a very organized Hartford team on Sunday."

HOW IT HAPPENED

• With the wind at their backs, Maine held the majority of the possession in the early going, but posed no great threats.
• Freshman midfielder Izzy Binko (Selbyville, Del.) made a dazzling move and put a strong shot on goal in the 19', but is was saved by the keeper.
• In the 34', Binko served a ball in from the left alley and Harvey managed to re-direct it past the goalkeeper from close range.
• UMBC took a 1-0 lead into intermission and nearly doubled it in the 63', but junior forward Juliana Rafaniello's (Old Bridge, N.J.) rebound attempt from close range was blocked away by Maine goalkeeper Kira Kutzinski.
• The Retriever defense gave up very limited shot attempts from inside the box and came away with their second consecutive victory in Orono.

NOTABLE  

• UMBC has recorded back-to-back shutouts and has held the opposition off the board in three of the last four games.
• Graduate student Erin Stevenson (Sellersville, Pa.) entered the game in the 17' and played 67 minutes after missing the previous three games due to injury.
• The win marks UMBC's first in an America East opener since a 2-0 triumph at Vermont in September of 2010. They were 0-9-1 in the previous ten league lid-lifters.

UP NEXT

The Retrievers have the week off until they return home for an America East Conference match versus Hartford on Sunday, Sept. 26. Kick-off time is set for 2:00 p.m.