Washington D.C. – The visiting UMBC Retrievers scored a pair of first-half goals and held on for a 2-0 victory against the Howard Bison on Sunday afternoon at Greene Stadium. The Dawgs evened their mark at 2-2 while the hosts dropped to 1-2-2.
UMBC graduate student forward Meghan McKye scored just 4:46 into the match, and senior Abby Joseph picked up her first career goal just before halftime to supply the offense.
McKye was the beneficiary of some great passing by sophomore forward Payton Schenning and graduate student forward Natasha Munro on the game-winner. Schenning intercepted a pass at the 30-yard line and then found Munro just outside the top of the center of the box. Schenning continued forward and received a touch from Munro. Then, Schenning delivered a perfect cross to McKye, who had gotten past the back line at the five-yard line. McKye then deposited the ball into the lower left corner of the net as she beat Howard goalkeeper Trinity Knox (four saves).
The Retrievers struck again with 4:07 left in the opening half as freshman Kristiana Kolega played a great ball to sophomore Cheyenne Payne into the right side of the box for her first career helper. Kolega found Payne, who also picked up her first career assist, from just inside the midfield line, and Payne sent a cross to the center of the box for Joseph, who made a run on goal. Joseph managed to re-direct the ball into the lower left corner of the net from point-blank range.
UMBC looked like they had scored again with 19:38 left as Munro headed in a free kick from senior Izzy Binko. However, the Retrievers were whistled for offsides on the play.
The visitors, who were outshot by a 15-13 margin, survived some late pressure from the Bison. Gabrielle Garcia-Terrell hit the center of the crossbar in the 87th minute, and then a goal was taken off the board for offsides with 52 ticks left.
Senior Abbey Cowles played the first 45 minutes and made two saves, while junior Sara Gavagan made five saves in the second half.
UMBC will host American on Thursday at 7:00 p.m.
