Retrievers building momentum heading into final month
By Nathan Grube
Staff Writer
After losing two out of three games following four straight wins, the UMBC women’s soccer team rebounded with a strong win against Delaware State University.
The Retrievers struggled offensively against Towson University last week, but the they found their rhythm 30 minutes into the game when senior midfielder Jessy Brown picked up a pair of goals within six minutes of each other. UMBC kept the pressure on in the second half where they had five shots on goal and two more goals.
The Retrievers’ defense continued to play on a high level, dominating the Delaware State offense for the entire game and getting better as the game progressed. In the first half, the Hornets took just four shots, with two being on goal. Junior goalkeeper Jen Nance saved both the shots on goal, and in the second half she did not even get a chance to record a save. The Retrievers held Delaware State to just one shot in the second half, while they recorded eight.
Senior Lily Rydon picked up her team leading fifth goal in minute 86, while freshman Gabby Boehmer scored her first career goal early in the second half. Boehmer has not started a game this season, but she has seen action in all eight games this year. She missed on her first two shot attempts of the season before she made the third.
The Retrievers now improve to a solid 6-2-0 record for the season. They have recorded 17 goals in eight games, which averages to about two goals a game. This was helped by the fact that they have scored ten points in their last three games despite being shut out in one of those. To go along with the 17 goals, the Retrievers have recorded 16 assists which shows that they are using good teamwork to score those goals.
UMBC will finish up its non-conference season over the next five days where they will play two matches, one at home and one on the road. The Retrievers will play American University at home, which is a big advantage against the Eagles. American sports a 3-6-0 record, but they have lost all four games they have played on the road. In those games they have managed just one goal, and they have not scored a goal since Sept. 10.
The Retrievers close out their non-conference schedule with a trip to Pennsylvania to face Robert Morris University. The Colonials are the opposite of American Eagles in terms of field advantage, they have yet to win at home this season. UMBC will have to be careful in their final two games to make sure they do not over look them in preparation for the American East Conference season.