BALTIMORE – Junior forward Brady Geho played a pivotal role in leading the UMBC men's soccer team to a 3-1 victory over the Niagara Purple Eagles on Friday evening at Retriever Soccer Park.

Geho converted two penalty kicks and provided an assist during the match. "I thought it was about time for me to score and I felt like I needed to step up tonight," Geho admitted. "I'm happy that I was able to convert the two PK's."

UMBC (3-0-0) took a 1-0 lead in the 28th minute when Geho successfully converted a penalty kick into the lower left corner of the goal, as Purple Eagles' goalie Grant Wyles (who had one save) dove in the opposite direction. The scoring opportunity was initiated by senior Branden Johns, who fed senior defender Ricky Schissler, resulting in a foul against senior midfielder Cameron Roach in the box.

Before halftime, the Retrievers extended their lead with another goal in the 39th minute. Sophomore Matteo Samori found the net for the second consecutive game. After a throw-in, Geho delivered a precise pass to Samori just outside the top center of the box. Samori took a touch, paused, and struck a shot that deflected off a defender and into the upper left corner of the goal.

Niagara (1-1-0) quickly responded, scoring just 38 minutes and 49 seconds into the second half when Niklas Kneller finished from close range, receiving a header from teammate Landon Hungerford. Jeremy Talsma was credited with an assist following a long throw-in into the box.

The Purple Eagles had several chances to equalize, but UMBC senior goalkeeper Emigdio Tormo Lopez made several key saves to keep Niagara at bay. One of his best saves occurred with 36:50 left in the game, when he dove to his right to stop a dangerous left-footed shot from Chase Dade, which came from just five yards out after a long service into the box.

UMBC sealed the victory with 9:55 remaining when Geho scored another penalty kick, placing the ball once again into the lower left corner. This penalty was awarded after Schissler was taken down again by Talsma. Graduate forward Andres Javitt set up the play with a great through ball from the right side.

"While it wasn't our best performance tonight, a sign of a good team is our ability to secure the win," said UMBC Head Coach Anthony Adams. "It was huge to get that third goal, and we were all able to breathe again after Niagara made it a close game."

The Retrievers will host Howard on Monday at 5:00 p.m.