MECHANICSBURG, Pa. - UMBC overcame a big third quarter for Bucknell, tying the game late in the fourth, before putting away the Bison in double overtime on Friday afternoon.
The Retrievers close out the regular season with a fifth straight victory and will await tomorrow's America East results to find out what seed they will be in next week's America East Playoffs at UAlbany.
Veterans
Ryan Demato and
Connor Chick scored two goals each to lead UMBC, but it was the freshmen,
Than Souza and
Braden Smith, who tied the contest and ultimately won it in the second overtime. Demato extended his multi-goal streak to 10 games and notched the 34th 30-goal season in program history, now sitting at 31.
Chick's first goal of the game gave UMBC a 2-1 lead with 9:12 remaining in the opening quarter. Will Hopkins' second of the quarter tied things at 2-2 for Bucknell, but Chick matched it with 2:42 to play, pushing the Retrievers ahead 3-2. After the Bison tied the contest with 57 seconds left in the first, Demato beat the buzzer with his 30th goal of the season to give UMBC a 4-3 advantage after one period.
Demato started the second quarter scoring to put UMBC ahead by two goals, and
Zach Coyle's goal with 4:50 left in the half sent the Retrievers to the break leading 6-4.
Bucknell scored three straight to open the third, taking a 7-6 lead before
Justin Webber's third goal of the season tied the contest once more. Peter Grandolfo gave Bucknell the lead late in the third.
Souza finally struck for UMBC, scoring the lone goal of the fourth quarter with 4:47 to play, sending the game to overtime. After a scoreless overtime period, Smith's first career goal sent the Retrievers to victory in the second extra period.
Connor McMahon made 13 saves in the first 45 minutes of the contest before
Billy Stephens entered and answered the call, making nine saves without allowing a goal in the final 20 minutes.
Gavin Batelka caused three turnovers and picked up a ground ball for UMBC, whlle
Dylan Hendrix caused a turnover and picked up six ground balls.
Alex Steers won eight-of-13 face-offs and picked up a ground ball.
