On Saturday, University of Maryland, Baltimore County and University of New Hampshire clashed for 110 scoreless minutes in the America East men’s soccer championship match before No. 2 UMBC topped the No. 5 Wildcats, 4-2, in the penalty kick shootout to secure the title. Earning its third-ever NCAA tournament berth, UMBC (4-2-1 AE, 11-4-5) has now won the America East title twice in the past three years.
After both teams converted on their first penalty kick attempts, the Retrievers grabbed the advantage when they sunk their second attempt and UMBC junior goalie Phil Saunders blocked a shot from UNH freshman Lukas Goerigk. Both teams hit their third shot before UMBC junior Kadeem Dacres put the Retrievers up 4-2. Saunders blocked UNH’s (2-3-2 AE, 7-7-6) final attempt to seal the Retrievers’ win and was named Most Outstanding Player. He recorded five saves in the game and two shutouts in the tournament.
The Retrievers are set to head to Old Dominion University (11-3-2, 5-3-2 Colonial Athletic Association) for the first round of the NCAA tournament. Play is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Thursday.