BALTIMORE – The UMBC women's soccer squad (1-1-1) plays the middle contest of a three-game homestand when VMI (2-3-0) visits Retriever Soccer Park on Saturday, Sept. 4.
Saturday's game will get underway at 7:00 p.m. and will air on the America East digital network.
UMBC NOTES
- Visiting Delaware (2-3-0) scored early in the second half, withstood a UMBC challenge and tallied again in the closing moments in the Blue Hens' 2-0 victory in ideal conditions at Retriever Soccer Park on Sept. 2.
- It was UMBC's second consecutive game versus a CAA opponent. The Retrievers tied Towson, 1-1 in double overtime on Aug. 29.
- Making her first start at home and the second of her career, junior Morgan McGruder (Overland Park, Kan.) made four saves in 90 minutes of action versus the Blue Hens.
- Graduate student midfielder Erin Stevenson (Sellersville, Pa.) started her 60th consecutive game and has played in all 60 UMBC contests since 2017. Stevenson has a goal and an assist on the season and is looking for career goal No. 10.
- Junior striker Julianna Rafaniello (Old Bridge, N.J.) continues to lead the squad with five points (2g, 1a). He had a hand in all three goals in UMBC's opening 3-1 win over Robert Morris and earned the America East's first Offensive Player of the Week honor.
A Glance at the Keydets:
- VMI (2-3-0) has won two straight since opening the season with losses versus Ohio (1-0) and Iona (4-3) and at East Carolina (4-0). VMI broke into the win column with a 1-0 double overtime win versus Winthrop on August 28 and blanked Hampton, 2-0, on Sept. 2.
- Freshman striker Riley Flanagan scored the game-winner versus Winthrop with just 2:22 remaining in the contest. She notched her third goal of the season in the 24' against Hampton and sophomore linemate Hannah White tallied her first in the 79' in the triumph over HU.
- Flanagan has a pair of assists to go along with her three goals, while Maria Vargas leads the squad with four assists. Jillian Hall has started all five games in the net and has a 1.49 GAA and a save percentage of 82.1.
- VMI is allowing 19.0 shots per match and 32 corners through five contests.
Series History:
- This will be the first meeting between UMBC and VMI since 2011. The Keydets have won both prior match-ups, triumphing 2-0 in Lexington in '11 and earning a 1-0 overtime decision in Baltimore two years prior.
Up Next:
- UMBC concludes the homestand when Longwood visits RSP on Thurs., Sept. 9 (7:00 p.m.).
