Box Score Burlington, VT. – The UMBC men's soccer team dropped its America East Conference opener by a score of 2-0 against the No. 7-ranked Vermont Catamounts on Saturday afternoon at sold-out Virtue Field.
The reigning national champions scored twice in the second half and held the Retrievers without a goal for the fourth straight game.
UMBC (4-4-1, 0-1-0 AE) senior goalkeeper
Emigdio Tormo Lopez made a pair of sensational first-half saves to keep the hosts off the board.
In the 12th minute, forward David Ismail struck an eight-yard shot after a deflection into the center of the box, but Tormo Lopez made a great diving save to his left to keep the game scoreless.
The Retrievers had their best opportunity of the opening stanza in the 22nd minute, but junior forward
Brady Geho's header off a corner kick from
Andres Javitt sailed high over the crossbar.
Vermont (7-0-3, 1-0-0 AE) scored the game-winner just 3:17 into the second half following a corner kick. UMBC senior defender
Jojo Ocran cleared an initial header by Rui Aoki along the goalline. The ball went high into the air, and Ludvig Uglers headed in the rebound after outmuscling a Retriever defender from point-blank range. Tormo Lopez was out of position after diving to the ground on the initial shot.
Sophomore forward
Matteo Samori had an opportunity to equalize in the 55th minute after junior
Ryan Calheira sent him a great ball along the left flank. His attempt from inside the box was denied by Vermont goalkeeper Niklas Herceg (four saves).
Tormo Lopez made a sensational diving save two minutes later on Ryan Zellefrow following a breakaway, but the midfielder converted on his next opportunity in the 63rd minute to give the hosts some insurance. Andrew Millar started the play with a feed into the box, and Zellefrow eluded a charging Tormo-Lopez (six saves) and deposited a winner into the lower right corner.
UMBC had several opportunities over the final twenty minutes but was unable to get on the board. Geho, Calheira, and freshman
Trae Robeson (post) were all denied from close range.
Vermont, which is now unbeaten in its last 20 games dating back to last season, held a 16-7 advantage in shots, including 8-4 in shots on goal. The Dawgs were the last team to beat the Catamounts.
The Retrievers will host No. 13 Bryant next Saturday evening at Retriever Soccer Park. There is a pink UMBC T-Shirt giveaway for the first 300 fans on Spread Respect Day.
