BALTIMORE – The UMBC women's soccer team created numerous scoring chances but came up just a bit short in their 1-0 season-opening loss against The Towson Tigers on Monday afternoon at Retriever Soccer Park.
The game was suspended in the 14th minute on Sunday evening due to heavy storms and lightning in the area, but the local rivals resumed play under a warm sun in the early afternoon.
UMBC fired 18 shots compared to just 11 by the visitors. However, the hosts could not sneak one past Towson graduate student keeper Riley Melendez, who made a game-high ten saves.
Towson (1-1-0) graduate student Rebecca Groseibl scored the game-winner in the 39th minute as she surprised Retrievers' goalie
Abbey Cowles from 35 yards out. The midfielder launched a high-arching shot towards the upper left corner of the net, and the ball just eluded the fingertips of Cowles, who had come slightly off her line.
The Retrievers had three great opportunities to even the game in the second half but came up empty. Graduate student forward
Natasha Munro managed to get free at the top of the right side of the box with 30 minutes left, but her shot from 10 yards out sailed high over the crossbar. A minute later, sophomore midfielder
Payton Schenning headed a well-struck free kick off the foot of senior back
Alyssa Clearfield that Melendez turned away. UMBC's final chance came with just under 11 minutes remaining as Schenning had a point-blank opportunity that Melendez again corralled.
UMBC came out flying in the opening portion of the game before the storms arrived on Sunday night. Graduate student forward
Meghan McKye had a golden opportunity in the 6th minute, but her shot from 10 yards out struck the right corner of the post. Two minutes later, sophomore midfielder
Maddie Schepers sent a terrific corner kick to Schenning, but her header was just wide to the left.
Schenning took a career-high seven shots, while McKye added four in the contest. Cowles made four saves in 90 minutes of action.
Towson held a slight 7-6 edge in corner kick chances.
The Retrievers will travel to Bucknell on Thursday evening.
