The UMBC men's soccer team (5-2-1) kicks off America East Conference play on Saturday, Sept. 24 when they host the UAlbany Great Danes (1-5-2). The contest gets underway at 7:00 p.m. at Retriever Soccer Park and will be broadcast by the America East Digital Network.
 
RETRIEVER NOTES
 

• Host St. Joseph's snapped a 1-1 tie with a goal in the 85' and defeated UMBC, 2-1, at Sweeney Field, on Tuesday. Ryan Becher scored his fifth goal of the season on a penalty kick to give UMBC a 1-0 lead in the 58', but the Hawks countered in the 68' and 85' to prevail.
• UMBC is 5-0-0 at Retriever Soccer Park this season and 0-2-1 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 earned his 24th career victory, tying him with Steve King ('09) for fifth place on the all-time wins' list.
• The Retrievers were No. 5 team in the Sept. 20 Northeast Region poll.
• Nationally, UMBC is tied for fifth in goals scored (22), tied for ninth in goal differential (+13), tied for 11th in goals per game (2.75) and 18th in points per game (7.75), 
• Senior midfielder Ryan Becher and sophomore forward Spencer Hanks is tied for 12th place in the nation with five goals scored. Hanks earned a spot on College Soccer News' Team of the Week for games ending Sept. 4.
• Junior forward Taylor Calheira set a school record by scoring 10 seconds into the contest vs. St. Francis Brooklyn on Sept. 2.
• The America East Conference tabbed UMBC sophomore forward 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.
• Senior midfielder Ryan Becher has hit the 15-goal and 40-point plateaus (17g, 13a, 47 pts.). He is attempting to become the first Retriever to reach the 20-goal mark since Pete Caringi III netted 37 from 2010-13.
• UMBC is 4-4-2 in its last ten America East openers.
• 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 315-200-80 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 GREAT DANES          

• UAlbany enters America East Conference play at 1-5-2 and are winless in their last three outings.
• The Great Danes blanked Penn, 1-0, on Sept. 9, and drew, 1-1, versus Dartmouth on Sept. 17, but gave up 10 goals in setbacks at Rutgers (5-1) on Sept. 13 and at Rhode Island (5-3) on Sept. 20.
• Sophomore forward Saad Faiz and senior midfielder Pantelis Panteli have each tallied twice for the Great Danes.
• UMBC and UAlbany have played one common opponent, Fairfield, early in the season. The Retrievers defeated the Stags, 8-2, while the Danes fell, 1-0 in Connecticut

 
THE ALL-TIME SERIES

• UMBC holds a 9-7-5 series advantage, but the Danes are 2-1-2 versus UMBC in the last five matches.
• Last season, the teams played to a 1-1 double overtime draw in Albany. William Forby tallied the Retrievers' goal in the 31', but the Danes tied the score less than four minutes later.
• UMBC has dominated the series at Retriever Soccer Park, posting a record of 8-1-2, including a1-0 win in the spring of 2021. Ryan Becher scored the game-winner just 57 seconds into overtime.

UP NEXT
The Retrievers have the week off before facing New Hampshire in Durham on Saturday, Oct. 1. Game time is 6:00 p.m.