Niagara (0-2) at UMBC (1-0-1) | UMBC/Navy Invitational | Friday, August 30, 7:00 p.m. | Baltimore, MD | Retriever Soccer Park | Watch | Live Stats | Game Program

DAWG BYTES

• Senior forward Alek Wroblewski headed in a corner kick with 9:47 remaining to give the host UMBC Men's Soccer team a thrilling 3-2 victory against the Howard Bison in front of 3,206 fans on Monday evening at Retriever Soccer Park. It was the second-largest crowd in Retriever Soccer Park history.
• UMBC, who improved to 1-0-1 in the young season, never trailed in the contest, but the Bison (0-2-0) were able to respond after the hosts took the lead on two occasions.
• Howard knotted the score at 2-2 with 20:28 remaining on a tally by forward Daniil Kaban.
• The Retrievers answered just over ten minutes later as they gained a corner kick after junior forward Robbie Ryerson's laser from the top of the box was deflected over the crossbar by Howard freshman goalie Liam Keiller. 
• Senior midfielder Ismailcan Usta sent a left-footed corner from the right side to the near post, and Wroblewski managed to direct the ball into the upper left corner of the net with a header that just eluded the right-hand of Keiller.
• UMBC took a 2-1 lead in the 63rd minute as graduate student midfielder Giuseppe Indelicato flicked in an extended header from the center of the box after taking a feed from the right corner by Hans Nesheim. Sophomore defender Jojo Ocran was also credited with an assist as he played the ball to the corner from the midfield mark.
• The Retrievers took a 1-0 lead in the 20th minute of the opening half as senior forward Loc San volleyed home a loose ball, which Keiller punched out to the center of the box following a corner kick.
• The Bison got even just before halftime as Peter Gansallo scored an unassisted goal with just 1:43 left in the stanza.
• UMBC outshot the visitors by an 18-7 margin and took seven corner kicks compared to just one by the Bison.

ABOUT NIAGARA

• The Purple Eagles are looking for their first victory of the season after falling to UAlbany (3-2) and Syracuse (3-0).
• Preseason All-MAAC Felix Kogler scored a pair of goals against UAlbany, including a penalty kick in the 83rd minute. Dominic Cintra recorded an assist in the contest
• Niagara has been outshot by a combined 43-14 count over the first two contests.
• Goalie Jamie Berry has played all 180 minutes and has recorded a .786 save percentage.
• The Purple Eagles went 4-10-3 last season and were 4-4-2 in the MAAC.
• Niagara was picked to finish eighth this season by the league's 13 head coaches.

SERIES HISTORY

• In their only meeting, UMBC edged Niagara, 3-2, on September 4, 2005 in Annapolis, Maryland.

UP NEXT

The Retrievers will host FDU in the second game of the UMBC/Navy Invitational on Monday at 6:00 p.m.