Box Score ALBANY – The UMBC men's soccer team opened America East Conference play in style on Saturday evening, knocking off host UAlbany, 2-1, at Tom & Mary Casey Stadium.

The Retrievers scored a goal in each half, as senior midfielder Tyler Harry tallied in the 28' and sophomore back Lasse Kelp added an insurance goal in the 71'.

The Great Danes managed a very late response – with 70 seconds remaining – but the visitors came up with three critical road points.

The win was UMBC's first in Albany since 2010 and just their second in 11 matches in the New York capital region. They also snapped the Great Danes' perfect 4-0-0 record on the season and dropped the hosts to 4-5-0 overall.

"We needed a fully committed effort to beat a good UAlbany team on the road and that's exactly what we got," said Head Coach Anthony Adams. "Now we need to rest, regroup and prepare for Bryant next Saturday at home."

HOW IT HAPPENED

• After the teams traded jabs in the early stage of the match, UMBC took advantage of a Great Dane mistake in the 28'. Graduate student Jordan Ehart sent a ball down the left side and UA goalkeeper Daniel Shannon got caught out of position on the left edge of the box. Senior forward Alek Wroblewski beat him to the ball and hooked a pass into the goal mouth, where a sprinting Harry re-directed it into the unguarded cage.
• The Retrievers continued to pressure the hosts and nearly got a second score, but Ismailcan Usta – who was momentarily all alone on the right edge of the box – had his effort blocked by an onrushing Shannon.
• UMBC sophomore goalkeeper Emigdio Tormo Lopez made his best save of the half in the 35', blocking a hard, skidding drive by Saad Faiz.
• UAlbany surged early in the second half, but the Retriever defense held firm.
• UMBC would counter and earn a corner kick in the 71'. William Forby's corner was headed towards the goal by Loc San, but a Great Dane defender got the initial clear. But his effort only got as far as Kelp, standing nine yards away from the net, and the UMBC defender expertly headed the ball into the near left corner of the net.
• As they did after scoring the first goal, UMBC recaptured the momentum and limited any significant Great Dane chances until Jiana Mamadi headed in a cross with 70 seconds remaining.

NOTES

• For both Harry and Kelp, the scores were their initial goals of the season and second tallies for their Retriever tenures. Harry made his first start of the 2023 campaign.
• Tormo Lopez made four saves and excelled in the box. UMBC outshot UAlbany, 9-8.

UP NEXT

UMBC will have its longest break between games since the season started. The Retrievers host upstart Bryant at Retriever Soccer Park on Saturday, Sept. 30 at 7:00 p.m.