Vestal, N.Y. -- Karly Keating (Orlando, Fla.) sent the first pitch of the bottom of the sixth over the fence in left, while Kya Matter (Dalmatia, Pa.) and Courtney Coppersmith (York, Pa.) combined to strikeout 14, as the UMBC Softball team defeated second-seeded UAlbany, 1-0, on Friday.

The win puts UMBC (30-10) in the Championship Round for the third consecutive season.

Matter was dazzling in her postseason debut, striking out nine, walking one and allowing just two hits. UAlbany (24-16), got its best chance in the top of the fourth with a leadoff double followed by a walk. A sacrifice bunt moved both runners into scoring position with one out, but Matter got a pair of strikeouts to end the threat.

Coppersmith (10-3) entered in the top of the sixth and struck out the side before Keating's fourth homer of the season put the Retrievers up 1-0 in the bottom half.

Coppersmith then got the Great Danes in order in the top of the seventh to close out the victory.

Madison Wilson (Abingdon, Md.) and Ashley Della Guardia (Phoenixville, Pa.) also had hits for UMBC.

The Retrievers will face either No.2 UAlbany, No.3 UMass Lowell or No. 4 Binghamton in the Championship Round on Saturday beginning at 12 p.m.