Women's Soccer Opens America East Conference Slate at Home Versus UAlbany on Sunday

Retrievers Seeking Third Straight Victory

UMBC has won three of their last five games to already surpass last year's win total. The Retrievers are seeking their first three-game winning streak since the 2022 season when they claimed four straight early in the campaign.
Sophomore midfielder Maddie Schepers delivered a stunning long-range goal to secure a thrilling 2-1 comeback victory for the Retrievers against Mount St. Mary's on a rainy Wednesday night at Retriever Soccer Park.
In the 86th minute, Schepers took a pass in the center of the pitch from sophomore Rian Stainton and found the back of the net from about 35 yards out. It was the first goal of Schepers' career, and the assist was the first point of Stainton's career.
The Retrievers dominated possession for most of the contest and held an 11-1 shot advantage in the first half. However, the Mount opened the scoring on a counter in the 55th minute as Luisangely Navas put a shot over the leaping attempt of UMBC junior goalie Sara Gavagan, who started the second half in relief of Abbey Cowles. It was one of Mount's only scoring threats of the evening.
The Retrievers fought back just 3:23 later as sophomore Payton Schenning (2nd assist of the season) crossed the ball into the opponent's box and found graduate student Natasha Munro free at the doorstep. Munro tapped the ball into the goal for her season's first tally. It was a gorgeous give-and-go play as Munro started the sequence by dribbling around two defenders.
Sara Gavagan entered at the half and had four impressive saves to stop Mount St. Mary's.
The Retrievers, who earned their second straight come-from-behind victory (2-1 over Longwood on Sunday), held a 26-9 shot advantage for the contest.
Delainey Varela-Keen headed in a gorgeous cross from senior Alyssa Clearfield with just over five minutes remaining to give the visiting Retrievers a 2-1 come-from-behind victory against the Longwood Lancers last Sunday afternoon.
Amara Codd (two saves) earned her first career victory as she replaced Gavagan (four saves) to open the final half.
UMBC's 26 shots were the most the program has taken since Sept. 18. 2016 when they had 30 versus Delaware State.
The Retrievers' last won their America East opener against Maine in 2021

About the Great Danes

UAlbany has scored just six goals in their first eight contests and have been outscored 23-6.
The Great Danes are last in the league with just 8.0 shots per game.
UAlbany has only attempted 10 corner kicks this season.
Casey Stowell leads the squad with a pair of goals.
Emily Dorfman leads the conference with 8.75 saves per game.
UAlbany opened the season with a 3-1 home victory against LIU, their lone triumph so far this season.

Series History

UMBC is 7-13-1 all-time against UAlbany
The Retrievers have lost eight straight against the Great Danes.
UMBC won five of the first six meetings in the series but have gone 2-12-1 since.
The Dawgs last defeated UAlbany on Oct. 23, 2014, a 1-0 decision in Albany. They also came away with a 1-1 draw against the Great Danes on Sept. 27, 2015 in Baltimore.

Up Next

The Dawgs will travel to Mercyhurst on Thursday at 1:00 p.m. before resuming their AE schedule at UMass Lowell next Sunday.

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Players Mentioned

#4 Alyssa Clearfield: B/M; 5' 7"; Junior

#0 Abbey Cowles: GK; 5' 10"; Junior

#32 Sara Gavagan: GK; 5' 8"; Sophomore

#2 Natasha Munro: F; 5' 7"; Graduate Student

#20 Delainey Varela-Keen: M; 5' 7"; Sophomore

#14 Payton Schenning: F; 5' 7"; Freshman

#10 Maddie Schepers: M; 5' 8"; Sophomore

#22 Rian Stainton: M/D; 5' 3"; Sophomore

#30 Amara Codd: Goalkeeper; 5' 7"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#4 Alyssa Clearfield
: 5' 7"; Junior
: B/M

#0 Abbey Cowles
: 5' 10"; Junior
: GK

#32 Sara Gavagan
: 5' 8"; Sophomore
: GK

#2 Natasha Munro
: 5' 7"; Graduate Student
: F

#20 Delainey Varela-Keen
: 5' 7"; Sophomore
: M

#14 Payton Schenning
: 5' 7"; Freshman
: F

#10 Maddie Schepers
: 5' 8"; Sophomore
: M

#22 Rian Stainton
: 5' 3"; Sophomore
: M/D

#30 Amara Codd
: 5' 7"; Freshman
: Goalkeeper