BALTIMORE – The UMBC women's soccer team delivered a commanding 3-1 victory over the Towson Tigers on Thursday evening at Retriever Soccer Park, in front of an energetic home crowd. The win marked UMBC's first triumph over their Beltway rival in over two decades, breaking a streak that dated back to 1998. With this result, the Retrievers improved their record to 4-1-2, making this their most promising start to a season since 2014.
Sophomore midfielder
Cami Mink was instrumental in the attack, contributing assists on two goals. Her classmate,
Delainey Proctor, scored a goal and set up another with a well-timed assist. Sophomore
Nia Hudson netted her first career goal, while senior
Rian Stainton delivered the eventual game-winner with a spectacular long-range effort.
The Retrievers, who battled Towson to a draw last season, seized control in the 34th minute when Hudson scored her first collegiate goal. The sequence began with freshman midfielder
Emma Schupansky threading a clever pass into the left side of the penalty area. Mink skillfully controlled the ball, took a composed dribble, and unleashed a powerful shot that forced Towson goalkeeper Teagan Gardner into a difficult save. The rebound fell directly to Hudson, who reacted quickly and calmly slotted the ball into the net from close range.
The home side doubled their advantage with what proved to be the decisive goal in the 69th minute. Stainton unleashed a lofted strike from 30 yards out that grazed the top of the crossbar before trickling just over the line. Proctor and sophomore
Olivia Nardone were both credited with assists on the play.
UMBC put the game out of reach with an insurance goal with just 15 minutes remaining. Mink chased down a loose ball near the left corner, then sent a pinpoint cross into the heart of the penalty area. Proctor met the delivery with a well-timed run and finished into the upper right corner of the net.
Towson (1-2-2) managed to pull one goal back in the 86th minute, as Sydney Taylor capitalized on a well-placed pass from Angel Reid to beat the UMBC defense and slot the ball past the keeper.
UMBC goalkeeper
Amara Codd played with composure between the posts, making five crucial saves throughout the match. It was her second consecutive clean sheet.
UMBC had trailed the series, 0-11-4, since a 2-1 overtime win on September 29, 1998, at Towson.
The Retrievers will host defending NEC champion Wagner on Sunday at 1:00 p.m.
