BOSTON -  The America East Conference named senior midfielder Ryan Becher (Hummelstown, Pa.) and freshman fullback Lasse Kelp (Bonn, Germany) its Men's Soccer Offensive Player and Rookie of the Week respectively for games ending Oct. 8.  
 
The Retrievers (6-4-1) are preparing to face host Delaware (2-7-2) in a non-conference match on Tuesday, Oct. 11. Kick-off at Stuart & Suzanne Grant Stadium is set for 7:00 p.m. and the match will be broadcast on FloSports. ($).
 
Becher produced six points in UMBC's 5-1 victory over UMass Lowell on Homecoming Saturday at Retriever Soccer Park. He assisted on both of UMBC's first half goals and scored the squad's third and fourth goals early in the second half.
 
Kelp continued to play outstanding defense, playing 83 minutes as UMBC held the River Hawks to nine shots. Kelp leads all UMBC field players with 961`minutes played.
 
RETRIEVER NOTES
 

• The UMBC men's soccer team vigorously halted its three-game slide, netting five goals in a 5-1 Homecoming victory over UMass Lowell before 1,450 chilled fans on Saturday evening.
• UMBC is 6-1-0 at Retriever Soccer Park this season and 0-3-1 on the road, all of which have been played on artificial surfaces.
• After his 3-0 shutout win over St. Peter's on Sept. 17, senior goalkeeper Jones moved into a tie for sixth place on UMBC's all-time shutouts list with Robbie Mamula ('93) and Andy Marchica ('06). He just earned his 25th career victory, moving him into fifth place on the all-time wins' list.
• Becher (19g, 15a, 53 pts.) is attempting to become the first Retriever to reach the 20-goal mark since Pete Caringi III netted 37 from 2010-13. Becher leads the team with seven goals and five assists, followed closely by junior striker Taylor Calheira (6-4-16).
• Calheira set a school record by scoring 10 seconds into the contest vs. St. Francis Brooklyn on Sept. 2.
• The America East Conference tabbed Spencer Hanks as its Offensive Player of the Week on August 29. Hanks, who missed the entire 2021 season, rehabilitating from ACL surgery, returned to the field and scored three goals and added one assist in the Retrievers' 8-2 win over Fairfield on August 26. Hanks also earned a spot on College Soccer News' Team of the Week for games ending Sept. 4.
• Head Coach Pete Caringi, Jr. enters his 32nd season at the helm of the Retrievers. The 2014 NSCAA National Coach of the Year now has posted a record of 316-202-80 in his tenure on Hilltop Circle. He is assisted by Associate Head Coach Anthony Adams, UMBC, '97, who has spent 25 previous years on the sidelines with Coach Caringi, after four years (1992-95) competing under the Retriever mentors. Pete Caringi III enters year No. 9 on the staff and volunteer assistant coach Sam DeBone is beginning his 24th year in his role. 

A GLANCE AT THE BLUE HENS           

• The Blue Hens are currently 2-7-2 overall and 0-5-1 in CAA play. They are in the midst of a five-match winless streak (0-4-1), dating back to a 2-0 win over GW on Sept. 13.  
• Delaware recently lost to Drexel, 3-1, on Oct 8, 2022 at Grant Stadium. Seidu Shamsudeen scored his third goal of the season.
• Freshman forward Sam Donnellan leads the team with five goals and 10 points on the season.
• Goalkeeper Adam Vik has recorded 45 saves on the season.

 
THE ALL-TIME SERIES

• The Retrievers and the Blue Hens will meet for the 29th time with UMBC holding a 15-9-4 series advantage. In the last seven meetings, UMBC has won two, lost two and tied three times.
• A year ago, Delaware defeated UMBC, 3-1, at Retriever Soccer Park. Taylor Calheira netted a game-tying goal early in the second half, but UD quickly re-took the lead and added a late insurance marker.
• This is only the third time since 2002 that the two teams will meet in Newark. UMBC has hosted four games and there was a neutral site meeting in that span. The Retrievers won the previous match in Newark, a 1-0 triumph in 2014.  

UP NEXT

The Retrievers face America East newcomers Bryant on Saturday, Oct. 15 at 11:00 a.m.