Men's Soccer 11/13/2024 10:28:00 AM

No. 3 Seeded Men's Soccer Set to Battle No. 2 Vermont on Wednesday Evening in America East Semifinals

Four-time America East Champion UMBC is now on a four-game win streak (which began topping UVM at home) and hasn't conceded a goal over that span.
Junior goalkeeper Emigdio Tormo Lopez is currently on a shutout streak of 395:38. In his four straight clean sheets he has made 15 saves, including five against Vermont on Oct. 26. He has eight shutouts this season, five against league opponents. His eight clean sheets are tied for fifth-best in the NCAA.
Midfielder Joseph Picotto and forward Ryan Calheira are tied for the team lead with five goals for the Retrievers. Picotto scored the game-winner and only tally in UMBC's win over Vermont in October.
Defender Hans Nesheim is second in the conference with a career-high nine assists.
The Retrievers defeated Binghamton 1-0 in America East Quarterfinal action on Saturday night to reach their first semifinal since 2021. Nesheim's header in the 84^th minute was his first tally of the season. The Bearcats had defeated UMBC in quarterfinal action on the road in 2023 and 2022.
UMBC had six players selected to the America East All-Conference Squads; Lasse Kelp (First Team), Ryan Calheira (Second Team), Hans Nesheim (Second Team), Joseph Picotto (Second Team), Adamo Pantaleo (Rookie), Matteo Samori (Rookie). Nesheim was also named to the Academic Team.
The Retrievers have played five teams that have been ranked in the Top-25 this season; Maryland (tie), Georgetown (tie), Cornell (loss), Vermont (win), New Hampshire (loss). UMBC currently has an RPI of 84^th.
UMBC last won the America East in 2014 and went all the way to the NCAA College Cup Final Four that season.
The Retrievers also won AE Championships in 2013, 2012, and 2010.
UMBC last reached the AE Championship game in 2018 as the No. 5 seed. (loss to No. 2 UNH, 5-0)
UMBC Head Coach Anthony Adams '97 who has served on the Retriever staff for 26 years, including the last dozen as associate head coach, took over the reins of the Retrievers last season.

ABOUT THE CATAMOUNTS

Sydney Wathuta was named the AE Midfielder of the Year. He leads the league and ranks third nationally with 11 assists.
Zach Barrett earned AE Defender of the Year honors. He anchored a Catamount defense which gave up a league-low five goals in America East action.
The Catamounts are 11-9-3 all-time as the home team in the America East Tournament.
UVM's last home playoff win came in the form of a 3-2 semifinal victory over No. 3 NJIT in 2021.
The Catamounts are 10-10-1 all-time in the America East Semifinals. Under Head Coach Rob Dow UVM is 2-3-0 in the semifinals.

INSIDE THE SERIES

The Catamounts own an 11-8-1 record in the all-time series but have dropped three straight games to UMBC. Last season at Virtue Field UMBC topped UVM 2-1, Vermont is 6-3-1 in its last 10 matchups with the Retrievers.
UMBC scored in the 50^th minute to defeat Vermont, 1-0, on October 26 at Retriever Soccer Park. Picotto scored on an assist from Karl Quist-Therson.
UMBC and Vermont have met twice before in the AE Semifinals. In 2014 UMBC bested UVM 3-1 at home on route to an America East Championship. The next year UVM returned the favor at Virtue Field with Bernard Yeboah delivering a 2-1 overtime winner on the Catamounts' road to their fifth league title in 2015.

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Players Mentioned

#21 Lasse Kelp: Defender; 6' 3"; Sophomore

#4 Hans Nesheim: Defender; 6' 2"; Senior

#8 Karl Quist-Therson: Midfielder; 6' 2"; Junior

#1 Emigdio Tormo Lopez: Goalkeeper; 5' 11"; Sophomore

#11 Ryan Calheira: Striker; 6' 1"; Freshman

#19 Adamo Pantaleo: Defender; 5' 10"; Freshman

#6 Joseph Picotto: Midfielder; 6' 2"; Junior

#12 Matteo Samori: Forward; 5' 10"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#21 Lasse Kelp
: 6' 3"; Sophomore
: Defender

#4 Hans Nesheim
: 6' 2"; Senior
: Defender

#8 Karl Quist-Therson
: 6' 2"; Junior
: Midfielder

#1 Emigdio Tormo Lopez
: 5' 11"; Sophomore
: Goalkeeper

#11 Ryan Calheira
: 6' 1"; Freshman
: Striker

#19 Adamo Pantaleo
: 5' 10"; Freshman
: Defender

#6 Joseph Picotto
: 6' 2"; Junior
: Midfielder

#12 Matteo Samori
: 5' 10"; Freshman
: Forward