BALTIMORE – For the second consecutive year, UMBC men's soccer knocked off a nationally-ranked squad.
The Retrievers utilized the enthusiasm of the Retriever Soccer Park crowd and their effective style of play to defeat No. 16/25 Cornell, 2-1, before 1,935 energized fans.
UMBC improved to 4-1-1 on the season, while Cornell slipped to 2-2-0. The Retrievers defeated No. 10 Vermont by the same 2-1 count in 2022.
"First of all, I think the crowd was unbelievable," said Head Coach
Anthony Adams. "Cornell is a really good team. Our guys fought and battled them the whole way and I'm really proud of them."
Senior forward
Taylor Calheira scored both UMBC goals as all three scores in the game came via the penalty kick, while sophomore goalkeeper
Emigdio Tormo Lopez made a UMBC season-high seven saves in the victory.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Big Red held a slight territorial edge in the first 45 minutes, but UMBC took advantage on an opportunity just past the midway point of the half. Jago Lott's short crossing pass led Calheira deep into the box and the senior was taken down from behind. He calmly drilled the ensuing penalty kick into the right portion of the net to give the hosts a 1-0 lead.
- Cornell attacked vigorously to open the second half and earned a penalty kick at 50:02. Alex Harris converted past a diving Lopez to knot the score at 1-1.
- But just 45 seconds later, on a rewind by UMBC, Alek Wroblewski got past his defender on the right side of the box and was clipped from behind. Calheira stepped up and went the opposite direction to give UMBC the lead back.
- Minutes later, Lopez made a leaping save to the right corner to deny Kisa Siingi, one of five second half saves.
- But the UMBC defense stiffened and did not allow a Big Red shot over the last 11 minutes of play.
"We used the word balance," said Adams, when describing the team's commitment on both ends of the field. "We want to be really good in both boxes and the guys have really bought into being a well-balanced team."
NOTES
- The multi-goal game is the sixth of Calheira's career and he now has 28 career goals.
- Cornell outshot UMBC, 16-6 and took six of the game's seven corners.
- The game was the first-ever meeting between UMBC and Cornell.
UMBC returns to action on Tuesday, Sept. 19 when they host American at 7:00 p.m.
