UMBC advances to Second Round of NCAA College Cup; after scoreless draw, Retrievers prevail in PK’s, 4-2
The UMBC men’s soccer team advanced to the second round of the NCAA College Cup as the Retrievers played Old Dominion to a 0-0 double overtime draw, but advanced, 4-2, in penalty kicks.
UMBC is now 11-4-6, while Old Dominion’s season comes to an end at 11-3-3.
UMBC junior goalkeeper Phil Saunders (Perry Hall, Md./Perry Hall) played the starring role for the second consecutive game, stopping a pair of penalty kicks.
After senior Milo Kapor (Toronto, Ont./Emily Carr) converted the first kick, Saunders saved ODU goalkeeper Victor Fracoz’ attempt. UMBC’s Mamadou Kansaye’s (Baltimore, Md./McDonogh) and Monarchs’ forward Chris Harmon matched successful kicks, but UMBC senior back Liam Paddock’s (Worcestershire, England) attempt was saved by Francoz.
But on ODU’s tying attempt, Saunders again dove to his right and stopped the effort of Jordan LeBlanc. Both UMBC’s Kadeem Dacres (Rosedale, N.Y.) and ODU’s Ivan Militar converted, setting up Retriever senior Dave Vaeth (Dundalk, Md./Patapsco) for the game-winning opportunity. Vaeth buried his attempt into the upper left corner of the goal, setting off a wild celebration by the visitors.
UMBC will advance to the second round for the second time in three years and will compete at defending national champion North Carolina in Chapel Hill, N.C. at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday.
UMBC junior forward Pete Caringi III (Perry Hall, Md./Calvert Hall) was unable to start and played only the final 26 seconds of regulation and final 20 seconds of overtime after a free kick opportunities. Caringi suffered an ankle injury early in the America East championship game vs. UNH and did not return.
The first half was evenly-played, as both teams managed only three shots each. The Monarchs’ best opportunity was their first, as Gideon Asante hit a shot wide right from eight yards out in the 18th minute. UMBC’s best chance came late in the half, as Dacres hit a rising shot from 17 yards out on the left wing which went over just the crossbar.
In the second half, Kansaye’s 50-yard free kick had to be parried over bar, giving UMBC its first corner of the match in 58’ The Retrievers attempted four corners in the second stanza, but the best chance, an Oumar Ballo (Baltimore, Md./Archbishop Curley) header in the 59th minute went wide of the near post.
Old Dominion outshot UMBC, 10-6. Saunders and Francoz both made three saves in 110 minutes of play. Saunders recorded his fourth consecutive shutout.
