BALTIMORE – The No. 3 seeded UMBC men's soccer team advanced to their first America East Conference semifinal since 2021 after defeating the No. 6 seeded Binghamton Bearcats, 1-0, on Saturday evening at chilly Retriever Soccer Park. The victory was particularly sweet for UMBC as Binghamton eliminated UMBC in the quarterfinals the past two seasons in Baltimore.

UMBC (8-6-4, 4-2-1 AE) will travel to No. 2 seeded Vermont (9-2-5, 4-1-2 AE) on Wednesday evening for a 6:00 p.m. showdown in Burlington. The Retrievers blanked the Catamounts by a 1-0 score at Retriever Soccer Park on October 26. Top-seeded New Hampshire (7-3-6, 4-1-2 AE) will host No. 4 Bryant (9-5-3, 4-3 AE) in the other semifinal.

"Vermont's been a nationally ranked team for most of the year," said UMBC head coach Anthony Adams. "They have a great history and are another well-coached group. It will be a hard battle up there, but we're happy to advance and have this opportunity."

Graduate student Hans Nesheim, who leads the squad with nine assists, scored his first goal of the season just after a corner kick with 6:52 remaining in regulation to provide the Retrievers with the victory over the Bearcats. 

"I'm very happy that we ended this little curse that Binghamton had on us," stated Nesheim. I noticed the ball wasn't coming my way, so I just tried to move around the box. Lasse {Kelp} had the first touch, and I was just at the right place and time. It was a great feeling. I think we can keep this going for many more games if we can continue to play defense like we have been of late."

Ty Stroud drove the corner from the left side into the middle of the box for Kelp, who managed to head the ball towards the goal from the five-yard line. Nesheim, a Second Team All-Conference pick, broke free and red-directed Kelp's attempt into the lower right corner past Binghamton goalie Dylan McDermott.

UMBC goalkeeper Emigdio Tormo Lopez has recorded four shutouts in a row and has eight on the season. "I think one of the most underrated guys in the conference is our goalkeeper Emi," Adams added. "He's got five shutouts in eight league matches, which is very impressive because of the strength of our league."

Binghamton was unlucky on the offensive end of the field as forward Anthony Randazzo hit the left post on a header early in the match and then nearly evened the game with 3:30 left as he headed another attempt off the crossbar following a long free kick into the box.

Binghamton, who was called for 36 fouls, completed their season at 8-7-4 and 2-3-2 in the league.