BALTIMORE – Visiting American University scored on a free position shot just before the final buzzer to defeat UMBC, 15-14, in the Retrievers' home opener.

UMBC (2-1) senior attack Claire Bockstie produced a seven-point effort for the Retrievers, scoring five goals and adding a pair of assists. She moved into a ninth- place tie on UMBC's all-time goals list, tying Debbie Krastel,'99 with 127 goals.

Linemate Lauren Cremen added four goals and a pair of assists for the Retrievers.

UMBC led, 9-7, at halftime and extended the advantage to 11-7 on goals by Bockstie and Megan Halczuk in the first 4:51 of the third quarter. But AU reeled off six consecutive scores over a 14-minute span to forge in front, 13-11, with 9:01 to play in the final quarter.

The Retrievers would rally, as junior Mary Ellis finished a picture-perfect fast break feed from Crèmen to cut the deficit to 13-12 with 7:16 remaining and Bockstie knotted the score 65 seconds later.

The teams traded goals, as AU scored with 3:52 remaining, but that goal was equalized by a Cremen tally just 45 seconds later.

The visitors took possession of the ball with 1:23 remaining in regulation. With an officials' flag up for a foul, UMBC goalkeeper Isabella Fontana made dynamic back-to-back saves in the final nine seconds as time expired. But the Eagles were awarded a free-position with one second put back on the clock and Annabelle Jackson scored to give the visitors a dramatic victory.

Fontana made 13 saves for UMBC, her third consecutive game with double-digit stops, while Halczuk totaled nine draw controls for the Retrievers.   
American jumped out on top, 2-0, but UMBC scored seven consecutive goals to lead, 7-2, just 3:50 into the second quarter. The Eagles would outscore the Retrievers, 5-2, over the final 7:50 of the second to come to within 9-7 at halftime.

UMBC has two more home games remaining in the three-match homestand. They will face Mount St. Mary's on Saturday, Feb. 25 at noon.