BALTIMORE - UMBC men's soccer defeated Loyola (Md.), 3-2, in front of a record-breaking crowd to take home the Blake Elliott Cup on Sunday evening at Retriever Soccer Park.
After a replay review confirmed a penalty kick in the 82nd minute,
Abdul Kamara slotted the penalty try home to extend UMBC's lead to 3-1 and score his first goal as a Retriever. Loyola punched back less than a minute later to pull back within one, but UMBC held on to claim the trophy and open the season 1-0.
Gunder MIller started the scoring for UMBC in the first half, taking a feed from
Lance Talley, turning upfield and converting on a strike from just outside the 18, giving the Retrievers the lead in the 24th minute.
Tied at the break, Loyola came out and tied the match in the 56th minute, getting a goal from Nino Venezia. Shortly after,
Alberto Galicia played a corner kick into the box, bouncing to
Flynn Holdem, who hammered it home off a Loyola defender to quickly break the tie and put UMBC ahead by a goal.
Kamara put home what proved to be the game-winning goal after a risky challenge in the box from the Greyhounds sent the transfer to the penalty spot, where he pushed the Retriever lead to 3-1.
UMBC dominated the match in terms of chances earned, taking 27 shots to Loyola's seven. Greyhound keepers Connor O'Keefe and Felix Huebner combined to make four saves in the losing effort. UMBC earned five corner kicks in the match to just two for the Greyhounds.
The announced attendance for the match was 3,806, surpassing the previous record of 3,766.
UMBC will return to action on Friday, August 28 to take on the Presbyterian Blue Hose at Retriever Soccer Park at 7 p.m.
