The UMBC men's soccer team opens their 2022 campaign on Friday, Aug. 26 when they host the Fairfield Stags. The opening kick-off is set for 7:00 p.m. at Retriever Soccer Park and will be broadcast on the America East Digital Network. 
 
 
NOTABLE
 

• The Retrievers return 21 letterwinners, welcome back a pair of medical redshirts and welcome in six newcomers for the 2022 campaign. UMBC overachieved in 2021, posting a mark of 8-8-3 and reaching the conference semi-finals despite a huge disparity in collegiate playing experience against America East heavyweights.

"It should be an exciting season," said Head Coach Pete Caringi, Jr. "The bench will be deep and we'll be able to vary the lineups without having it affect us. It will be interesting to try and put the pieces together early in the season."

• UMBC junior forward Taylor Calheira (Towson, Md./Concordia Prep) and senior midfielder Ryan Becher (Hummelstown, Pa.) earned United Soccer Coaches All-Region honors for the 2021 campaign. Calheira landed on the Northeast Region's Second Team, while Becher received Third Team honors. Calheira, an America East First Team honoree, led the much-improved Retrievers with nine goals and 22 total points last fall.  His goal total was the most by a Retriever since current UMBC assistant coach Pete Caringi III netted 13 in 2013. Calheira recorded five game-winning goals and three overtime game-winners for the league semi-finalists.
• Becher tallied 19 points (7-5-19) on the season.
• Becher and classmates Jordan Ehart (Severna Park, Md./Mount St. Joseph) and Quantrell Jones (Baltimore, Md./Kenwood) will serve as tri-captains for the 2022 squad. Ehart, a fullback, missed the 2021 fall campaign after suffering a preseason knee injury, but has returned for the 2022 season. Jones, a goalkeeper, is tied for ninth in school history with 11 career shutouts.  
• Head Coach Pete Caringi, Jr. enters his 32nd season at the helm of the Retrievers. The 2014 NSCAA National Coach of the Year has posted a record of 310-198-79 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.  

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A GLANCE AT THE STAGS     

• Fairfield posted a mark of 7-9-2 a season ago, including a record of 5-4-1 in the MAAC. The Stags were picked to finish third in the MAAC Preseason poll. Defender Cormac Pike and Thomas Drillien were selected for the 2022 Preseason All-MAAC team.
• Drillien scored seven goals and added five assists to an attack that averaged 1.61 goals per game in 2021.           

 
THE ALL-TIME SERIES

• This is just the second meeting between Fairfield and UMBC. The two squads met in 2015 and the game ended up as a 2-2 double overtime draw.

 UMBC welcomes back its students on Monday, August 29 when Lehigh visits Retriever Soccer Park. The match will get underway at 7:30 p.m.