UMBC

Albany, N.Y.—The UMBC men’s lacrosse team won many of the statistical battles, but could not overcome a 5-1 first half deficit and fell, 13-9 to second-ranked Albany on the Great Danes’ final regular season home game of the 2007 season.

The 20^th-ranked Retrievers lost their America East opener for the first time in four years of conference play and saw their overall mark fall to 4-4, while Albany improved to 8-0 overall and 2-0 in the league.  Three of UMBC’s four losses have occurred to teams currently ranked in the USILA top ten.

UMBC is now 0-3 on the road this season and was plagued again by a slow start away from home. The Retrievers lost six of eight first half draws and could only manage a Cayle Ratcliffe goal early in the second quarter.

After the teams exchanged the third quarter’s first four goals, the Retrievers appeared primed for a late game rally as senior midfielders P.J. Kimener and Josh Porcell scored in a span of 55 seconds late in the third quarter to cut the deficit to 7-5.  But UA’s Mike Ammann scored with 17 seconds remaining in the third quarter and the Great Danes scored two more times to open the final stanza to rebuild the lead to 10-5.

But UMBC had another rally as they matched Albany’s 3-0 run with one of their own. Freshman Kyle Wimer snapped a personal goal-scoring drought with a pair of scores 39 seconds apart and Ratcliffe converted a Drew Westervelt feed to bring UMBC to within 10-8 with plenty of time (8:55) remaining. 

However, the Great Danes responded with another three straight goals in a span of 2:35, ending UMBC’s hopes of the come-from-behind win 

Ratcliffe led a balanced UMBC attack with two goals and two assists. Wimer added a pair of goals and Westervelt had two assists, but combined with linemate Andy Gallagher and junior midfielder Terry Kimener to produce just one goal.

Frank Resetarits scored three goals and added one assist to lead UAlbany.

UMBC outshot Albany, 42-33, including a decided 25-15 edge in the second half. They also controlled 13 of 18 draws in the final 30 minutes, won the ground ball battle, 33-30 and cleared successfully 17 of 19 times. Albany senior netminder Brett Queener made 14 saves, outdueling UMBC sophomore keeper Jeremy Blevins, who amassed nine, but only three after intermission.

The Retrievers will face another nationally-ranked opponent when cross-town rival Towson visits UMBC Stadium on Tuesday evening.