BALTIMORE, MD – The UMBC women's soccer team dominated the second half and was able to pick up an important 2-2 draw against the Bryant Bulldogs, in the America East season-opener for both squads on Sunday afternoon at Retriever Soccer Park.
 
The Retrievers, who fell behind by two goals in the first half, received goals from senior forward Meghan McKye and graduate student forward Natasha Munro to pick up a point in the conference standings.
 
Bryant (3-2-2, 0-0-1 AE) opened the scoring in the 13^th minute as junior forward Jordyn Collins booted in a rebound after her initial shot was punched into the box by UMBC junior goalkeeper Abbey Cowles.
 
The visitors struck again nine minutes later as sophomore forward Madison Luke scored her second marker of the season. Junior forward Catherine Bean was credited with the assist as she picked up a deflection and found Luke alone at the top of the right side of the box. Luke was able to beat Cowles with a shot into the top of the left corner of the net.

UMBC (2-7-1, 0-0-1 AE) scored a huge goal in the '39 to grab the momentum heading into intermission. The Bulldogs turned the ball over deep in their end and graduate student midfielder Lola Negrete found McKye free at the top of the left side of the box. McKye (team-high four shots) spun around to put herself in shooting position and then ripped a 15-yard laser into the upper right corner past the outstretched arms of starting keeper Kathryn McNeil.
 
The Retrievers continued to apply the pressure over the final forty-five minutes as most of the game was played on Bryant's end of the field. UMBC attempted six of their game-high eight corner kicks in the frame and finally got the equalizer after numerous scoring chances on a corner with just 8:20 remining in the contest. 
 
Negrete, UMBC's corner kick specialist, sent a gorgeous ball from the left flag into the middle of the box and just in front of the goal line. Munro fought for position and then timed her leap perfectly, heading the cross over the left shoulder of Bryant goalkeeper Selena Negron, who replaced McNeil in the second half. It was her first tally of the campaign.
 
McKye now leads the squad with three goals on the season and Negrete has a team-best three assists.
 
Shots were even at 14-14 but the Dawgs allowed just four shots in the second half.
 
Cowles made six saves in goal.
 
The Retrievers will host Iona on Thursday evening at 7:00 p.m.