UMBC

Towson, MD-Eight different players scored for Towson University (9-3), as the eleventh-ranked Tigers held off UMBC (5-7), 13-8, in chilly conditions at Johnny Unitas Stadium.

UMBC hung tough, as they rallied from several multi-goal deficits to test the CAA regular season champions. After falling behind 2-0, junior attackman Rob Cross scored a pair of goals to knot the game at 2-2. Towson surged ahead, 5-2, but goals by James Hyland and Brendan Mundorf sliced the deficit to 5-4, before a late TU goal gave the hosts a 6-4 edge at intermission.

Cross scored his career best third goal of the game four minutes into the third quarter to bring UMBC within a goal, but Towson went on a crucial 4-0 run which gave them a 10-5 lead early in the fourth quarter. UMBC's Jerry Solazzo and Drew Westervelt brought the Retrievers to within 10-7 with 5:31 remaining, but Towson's Ben DeFelice won the ensuing face off and scored to restore a four-goal margin and squelch UMBC's hopes of a rally.

DeFelice was brilliant on face-offs, controlling 18 of 25 and recording 13 grouned balls.

In addition to Cross' three goals, Westervelt contributed 2 goals and 1 assist, Mundorf added 1 goal and 2 helpers, and Hyland had 1 goal and 1 assist. UMBC netminder Kevin Cepelak made 16 saves, as TU outshot UMBC, 52-26.

UMBC plays its regular season finale at Vermont on Saturday in a must-win contest for both teams. The winner gets the fourth and final slot in next week's America East Championships.