Hempstead, N.Y. – UMBC played with 10 men for the final 83 minutes of action and fell to two-time defending CAA champion Hofstra, 2-0, at Hofstra Soccer Stadium on Tuesday evening.
The Retrievers dropped their first contest of the year and fell to 3-1-1, while the Pride improved to 4-1-1.
COACH ADAMS SAID
"I couldn't be prouder of the group. They stuck together and played with heart, down a man for 83 minutes against the defending CAA champs. There are plenty of positives to take away from the game. We will regroup and welcome a Top 25 team this Saturday night."
HOW IT HAPPENED
- UMBC got off to its best start of the year, taking it to Hofstra in the first six minutes. Spencer Hanks' 22-yard hooking effort just 60 seconds into the match was just brushed aside by the Pride netminder.
- The Retrievers would earn three corners and goalkeeper Wessel Speel had to come up with two more saves to keep the visitors off the board.
- But after UMBC's third corner failed, Hofstra countered and broke a man behind the defense. Retriever goalkeeper Jay Gillespie raced out of the box, but contacted the ball with his hands and was assessed a red card.
- Emigdio Tormo Lopez replaced Gillespie, but UMBC lost a field player for the final 83:40 of the match.
- The Pride took the momentum, but the stubborn Retrievers held firm throughout the first half. Midfielder Will Forby made the play of the half by clearing a Hofstra shot bound for the goal off of the goal line to preserve the 0-0 draw.
- Hofstra finally broke through in the 54', but it took a brilliant strike by Eliot Goldthrop from 21 yards out to give the hosts a 1-0 lead.
- UMBC put a good offensive possession together in the 60', but Taylor Calheira's finishing pass to Alek Wroblewski was deemed offsides and the subsequent score was disallowed.
- A minute later, Hofstra added an insurance goal as a short, wayward UMBC back-pass was intercepted by Ryan Carmichael, who guided the ball into an unguarded net.
NOTES
- Lopez was credited with two saves as Hofstra only managed to put five shots on goal.
- Returning from injury, Ismailcan Usta and Karl Quist-Therson made their first appearances of the season and freshman Giuseppe Indelicato earned his first minutes of playing time in a UMBC uniform.
UMBC returns home to face Cornell in a first-time match-up Game time is set for 7:00 p.m. and the broadcast will air on ESPN+.
