Video Highlights | Postgame Interviews

BALTIMORE – UMBC junior midfielder Ryan Becher (Hummelstown, Pa.) scored his fourth goal in four games early in the second half and it stood up as the game-winner as the Retrievers edged Iona, 2-1, in a UMBC-Navy Classic game played at Retriever Soccer Park.

The Retrievers improved to 2-1-1 on the campaign while Iona fell to 0-3.

UMBC and Navy both swept Iona and La Salle in the classic format.

"I am very happy we came away with the result," said head coach Pete Caringi, Jr. "I think we're getting better. Each day, we're improving and we're learning."  

Becher, who tallied a goal and an assist in the 3-2 overtime win over La Salle, led four Retrievers on the All-Tournament Team. He was joined by sophomore midfielder Jago Lott (Somerset, U.K.), sophomore back Hans Nesheim (Haugesund, Norway) and sophomore striker Taylor Calheira (Towson, Md./Concordia Prep).

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Just 3:05 into the match, Lott's free kick from 35 yards out was booted into the goal by junior back Julian Conze (Telgte, Germany). UMBC tallied the initial goal for the first time in 2021.
• UMBC senior goalkeeper Quantrell Jones (Baltimore, Md./Kenwood) made a brilliant save on a close-in attempt by Esad Mackic, but Andre Shelton knocked in the rebound to knot the score at 1-1 in the 38'.
• The Retrievers turned up the intensity early in the second half and Conze drove a perfect ball from the left wing to Becher, who re-directed it in from close range in the 61'.
• Jones made an outstanding save on Lenworth Lopez in the 72 to keep the lead for UMBC
• UMBC did an excellent job in keeping possession and killing the clock down the stretch to preserve the victory.

NOTABLE

• Becher has already matched his season total of four goals from his freshman 2019 campaign.
• Lott (1-3-5) has an assist in all three matches he has competed in this season and Conze (2-1-5) also has five points.
• Jones made four saves and earned his 17th career victory (17-15-5).
• Iona won the MAAC in 2019 and competed in the NCAA Tournament.
• Five of UMBC's nine goals on the season have been scored on set plays. The Retrievers only scored six goals in eight games in the spring.

UMBC will leave the state of Maryland for the first time in the fall of 2021, taking on LIU in Brookeville, N.Y., on Saturday, Sept. 11.