BALTIMORE – Junior forward Grace Dunbar scored her first career goal with 13:12 remaining in the match, leading the UMBC women's soccer team to a 1-0 victory over the Longwood Lancers in front of a record crowd of 1,708 fans at Retriever Soccer Park on Thursday evening.

Dunbar's goal was an impressive strike from 25 yards out, hitting just inches below the crossbar. Longwood goalkeeper Sara Curtis made a leaping attempt to stop the powerful shot, but the ball whistled just beyond her fingertips. The play was set up by sophomore midfielder Kristiana Kolega, who delivered a pass from the fifty-yard line to junior midfielder Emily Hiney. Hiney then found Dunbar, who was positioned in the center of the field. Both Kolega and Hiney earned their first assists of the season.

"It was awesome to score my first goal in front of this many people," said Dunbar. "It was just so much fun tonight. I received a beautiful ball from Emily, and Kristiana's ball was amazing. I saw the space and just took it, and it was so exciting to get the game-winner."

UMBC (3-1-1) faced a tense moment in the final seconds as sophomore goalkeeper Amara Codd made a crucial save against a hard shot from junior forward Peyton Curney, who had gotten behind the Retrievers' defense.

Earlier in the game, Codd also showcased her skills with a remarkable play midway through the second half, denying freshman forward Sam Fischer's shot from point-blank range after charging off her line.

The Retrievers nearly scored in the ninth minute when senior midfielder Delainey Varela-Keen sent a hard, low shot toward the right corner, but Curtis made a sensational diving save to keep the score at zero.

Junior Payton Foster had a great opportunity midway through the first half when freshman defender Cami Mink sent a beautiful cross into the box, but Foster was unable to settle the pass, allowing Curtis to stop the threat.

Codd recorded three saves while playing the entire second half, earning her first win of the season. Graduate student Kalli Williams also performed well, making a game-high five saves in the first half.

UMBC will host Delaware on Sunday afternoon at Retriever Soccer Park.