How Sweet It Is!
The UMBC mens soccer squad vanquishes No. 4 College Park in NCAA Tournament
UMBC fans who made the trek down to College Park saw history on Sunday night when the Retrievers mens soccer team snatched a 1-0 victory over the Maryland Terrapins ranked number four in the nation in a second-round game of the NCAA tournament.
The win sends UMBC into the third round of the tournament for the first time as a Division I squad. The Retrievers will travel to Kentucky to play the University of Louisville Cardinals on Sunday, November 30 at 6 p.m. EST.
The Retrievers goal was scored in the 70th minute by junior midfielder Malcolm Harris, who coolly slotted home a rebound created by a hard shot by senior forward Kay Banjo that was saved but not controlled by Terrapin goalkeeper Zack Steffen.
A scoreless first half saw both teams feel their way into the match, and only a few scoring chances were created by either team. The games second half was a far more open affair, with the Retrievers having the better of the play but failing to capitalize on a number of clear scoring chances.
A strong and energetic traveling contingent of Retrievers fans cheered loudly throughout the match. And when Harris dramatic goal stunned and silenced the boisterous Terrapin crowd, UMBC fans filled the stadium with cheers of We Cant Hear You!
The Retrievers defended fiercely for the last 20 minutes of the match, as the Terrapins threw everything they had into an effort to score an equalizer. After the final second of the match elapsed and the referee blew his whistle, exultant UMBC fans stormed the field to celebrate the victory with the players.
The UMBC mens soccer team extends its current unbeaten streak to eight games, and the Retrievers have yet to be beaten in open play in the NCAA tournament dating back to 2010. (All of their losses have come on penalty kicks.)
The victory also extends the careers of the teams standout group of seniors, including Banjo, defender Omar Ballo, defender Jordan Becker, midfielder Geaton Caltabiano, midfielder Michael DiCesare, defender Marquez Fernandez, midfielder Stephen Ho, midfielder Mamadou Kansaye, midfielder/defender Zach Wenger, and defender Spencer Williams.
To see video highlights of the historic win, explore detailed game accounts and statistics, and obtain information on tickets to next Sundays game in Louisville, head to www.umbcretrievers.com
(Updated 11/23/2014)
