BALTIMORE - The UMBC men's soccer team gave the No. 5 Bryant Bulldogs all they could handle, but ultimately lost 2-1 in an America East Conference match on Saturday evening at Retriever Soccer Park.
 
After trailing 2-0 with less than two minutes remaining, the Retrievers nearly pulled off a miraculous comeback in the final moments of the game.
 
Freshman midfielder Simon Vujinovic brought the Dawgs within a goal with 1:54 left on the clock. Following a turnover in the right corner, sophomore forward Matteo Samori delivered a pass into the center of the box for junior forward Brady Geho. Geho controlled the ball and redirected it to Vujinovic, who was positioned at the top of the box. Vujinovic unleashed a shot that deflected off a Bryant defender and found its way into the lower right corner of the goal.
 
UMBC (4-5-1, 0-2 AE) continued to apply pressure and created two excellent opportunities to tie the game, but luck was not on their side. Senior goalie Emigdio Tormo Lopez (who made three saves) executed a brilliant free kick from just inside midfield with 1:38 remaining. Junior Jojo Ocran headed the ball back to Vujinovic, who was waiting at the right side of the box. Vujinovic fired a powerful shot through a wall of defenders, seemingly destined for the back of the net, but Bryant goalkeeper Enzo Carvalho (who made two saves) pulled off an incredible diving save with his left hand.
 
UMBC had one more chance with a minute left when Lopez delivered another precise kick into the center of the box. Geho controlled the pass, turned, and fired a shot that appeared headed for the left corner of the net, but a Bryant defender managed to deflect it for a corner kick.
 
Bryant (10-0-1, 2-0 AE) opened the scoring just 7:21 into the match with a goal from Jaime Amaro, who executed a left-footed shot from just outside the top right of the box after a short corner, finding the near side of the goal. Fermin Rodriguez and Marc Pitarch Bayot were credited with assists on the play.
 
The Bulldogs added an important insurance goal in the 68th minute when Tomas Sentieiro scored from point-blank range, executing a backheel shot following a cross from Mamadi Jiana.
 
UMBC had a slight edge in shots, outshooting Bryant 14-13, while the Bulldogs held a 6-5 advantage in corner kicks.
 
The Retrievers will host New Hampshire on Homecoming Weekend next Saturday at 7:00 p.m.