UMBC

Drew Westervelt scored the first goal and the insurance marker for UMBC in the 6-4 win over Brown.

Providence, R.I.—Junior midfielder Evan Kay scored the go-ahead goal late in the third period as visiting UMBC (1-0) defeated Brown (0-1), 6-4, in a non-conference contest and the opener for both teams.

 It is UMBC’s first 1-0 start since the 2003 season and its first opening win on the road since a 9-8 overtime win over Navy in 2002.

 UMBC never trailed and built a 3-0 lead, holding the Bears scoreless for the first 26:26 of the contest. Junior Drew Westervelt scored UMBC’s first goal at the 7:17 mark of the first quarter and classmate Andy Gallagher converted a Terry Kimener feed at the 3:31 mark to give the visitors a 2-0 lead after the first quarter.

 Gallagher opened the second stanza with a goal from Kay at the 11:43 mark. Brown’s Will McGettigan got the home team on the board with 3:34 remaining in the half, but UMBC freshman goalkeeper Jeremy Blevins made five second quarter saves and the game remained a 3-1 Retriever advantage at intermission.

 Kay scored his first UMBC goal just 21 seconds in the third period, tallying on the extra-man with a helper from senior James Hyland. But Brown would storm back and goals by McGettigan, Jack Walsh and Mike Bernard in less than four minutes knotted the game at four-all with 5:21 remaining in the third.

 But Kay, a transfer from CCBC-Essex got the game-winning goal in unassisted fashion with 3:29 to play in the third quarter. The Retriever defense held Brown to just five fourth quarter shots and Westervelt scored an insurance goal with 8:35 remaining to give UMBC the hard-fought victory.

 Kay, Gallagher and Westervelt each tallied twice for UMBC. In his debut, Blevins made nine saves and allowed the four goals, as Brown outshot UMBC, 29-26. Nick Gentilesco had six saves for the Bears. But UMBC won the battle of ground balls, 24-17, and cleared successfully 17 of 21 times.

 The Retrievers open the home schedule next Saturday vs. Air Force.