UMBC

Baltimore, Md.—UMBC scored a season-high 20 goals and clinched a spot in the America East Conference Tournament with a convincing 20-11 win over Vermont before 1,477 fans on the Retrievers’ “Senior Day”.

Senior attackmen Drew Westervelt and Andy Gallagher had huge games for the Retrievers. Westervelt tied his career high with nine points on three goals and six assists, while Gallagher set a new career mark with eight points, scoring five goals and adding three helpers.

Westervelt moved one point past his former teammate Brendan Mundorf and into fifth place on UMBC’s all-time scoring list. He became the 11^th player in school history to surpass the 100-goal plateau (101) and now has 186 career points.

After an early 1-1 tie, the Retrievers ran off nine straight goals to take a 10-1 advantage at he 5:18 mark of the second quarter. UMBC freshman standout attackman Cayle Ratcliffe scored a first period hat trick and Westervelt had two goals and four assists in the nine-goal run.

The Catamounts scored four straight goals to cut the gap to 10-5 with 1:44 to play in the quarter as junior attackman Shay Cunningham scored twice. But UMBC junior middie Terry Kimener ended the half by converting a feed from Gallagher with nine seconds left.

The Retrievers outscored Vermont, 5-1 in the third quarter to put the game away. Gallagher scored three times, including a pair of extra-man goals.

The 31 goals scored by two teams are the most in a UMBC game since a 17-15 Retriever win over Towson in 2000. UMBC has competed in the America East Tournament in all four years of league membership and improved to 4-0 all-time vs. the Catamounts.

Ratcliffe scored three times for UMBC and leads the Retrievers with 28 goals. Terry Kimener added two goals and two assists and seniors P.J. Kimener and Josh Porcell also hit the nets in the final home appearances.

Senior midfielder Sean Layton led Vermont with three goals, while Cunningham added a pair of goals and an assist.

UMBC starting netminder Jeremy Blevins made eight saves, while allowing six goals in the first 45 minutes. Vermont starter Daryl Swarts made 10 saves in 55:28 and allowed all 20 Retriever goals.

The Retrievers conclude the regular season next Saturday at Stony Brook.