Senior Sammy Kahsai and junior Kyle Saunderson scored two second half goals as UMBC (6-3-3) fought back from 3-0 down but lost 3-2 against UMass Lowell’s River Hawks. In the team’s third America East conference game, the Retrievers showed that the attack is still functioning as it should, even in a loss, and they gave the away fans a spirited rally to cheer.
In front of 816 River Hawk fans, the Retrievers did not assert themselves as the dominant team until late in the second half. UMBC outshot their opponents and created a number of chances, but could not find a way past the opposing goalkeeper. The 3-2 loss is UMBC’s first in AE conference play and breaks our 3-match unbeaten streak. UMass Lowell extended their home unbeaten streak to 14 games with efficient finishing.
In the first half, UMBC dominated the early stages of the game, taking seven shots and gaining two corner kicks before minute 22. In particular, senior Cormac Noel and sophomore Colin Weyant both had 2 shots as they tried to get the Retrievers’ offense going, but to no avail. The River Hawks grew into the game and took the lead in minute 36 as Dario Jovanovski hit a 35-yard swerving shot. They doubled their lead three minutes later when Jacob Fitzgerald scored off of a cross.
UMass Lowell thought they had sealed the win when Alejandro Osorio netted a header to make it 3-0 in minute 51, but the persistent Retrievers found a way back into the game. A bouncer from Kahsai following a free kick from senior Tom Paul, found the net in minute 63 and Saunderson headed in his fourth goal of the year off a header from senior Gregg Hauck in minute 78. UMBC had a further 4 shots in an effort to tie the game, but time ran out.
“At 3-0, you can watch a team either quit on the field or become more determined,” said head coach Caringi, “and literally up to the second we were fighting to get the game tying goal. The travel is tough. The game is over with, we learn from it, it is about how well you adapt to [the tough schedule]. Every game is important.”
Overall, there were lots of positives to take from the game but the Retrievers would be disappointed to concede 3 goals away from home. The team would look to rectify that in the annual homecoming game on Oct. 14.