UMBC

, Md.—Sophomore Andrew Gillis (Baltimore, Md./Perry Hall) scored the game’s lone goal in the 34^th minute and the resurgent UMBC defense held in the second half as the Retrievers posted a 1-0 win over Iona (1-3) in the final game of the 2007 adidas Kick Off Classic.

The Retrievers improved to 3-0-1 and are unbeaten through four games for the first time since the 1999. In that campaign, UMBC (19-1-2) did not lose until an NCAA Tournament game at Duke.

St. Francis (N.Y.) won the tournament title as they defeated Navy (2-1-1), 3-1, in the opener of today’s action. The Terriers (2-1-1) and Retrievers both were 1-0-1 in weekend play, but St. Francis had a +2 goal differential compared to +1 for UMBC.

After playing all 17 games and not posting a single shutout last season, junior netminder Steve King (Baltimore, Md./Archbishop Curley) now has three straight and the Retriever defense has not allowed a goal for the last 339 minutes of action.

The Retrievers came out energized in the first half and carried most of the play to the Gaels. They finally cashed in when junior midfielder Shondell Busby (Toronto, Ont.) made a 30-yard dash down the middle of the field and sent a through ball to Gillis, who was running toward the left post. The Retriever forward gathered in the pass and beat Iona netminder Nils Binstock inside the far right post from nine yards out.

Iona, which lost a tough 2-1 double overtime decision to Navy on Friday, came out stronger in the final 45 minutes and outshot the hosts, 8-3, but King made four of his five saves in the final stanza to hold the Gaels off the board.

Gillis led all players with four shots in the game and Busby picked up his first point in a UMBC uniform.

St. Francis scored two goals in the final 15 minutes to break a 1-1 tie and outlast Navy. Senior back Diego Martinez got the game-winner in the 76^th minute, heading in another header from teammate Javier Gonzalez after Sesmo Nikocevic’s corner went towards the far post. Nicosevic added an insurance goal in the 87^th minute and finished the game with a goal and two assists. Freshman forward John Sallhag scored the Terriers’ first half goal in the 36^th minute, but that was equalized by Navy’s Andrew Garcia’s score in the 60^th minute.

St. Francis (N.Y) 3, Navy 1

Scoring: S-John Sallhag (Edson DaSilva, Sesmo Nikocevic) 36’; N-Andrew Garcia (Eric Gorden) 60’; S-Diego Martinez (Nikocevic, Javier Gonzalez) 76’; S-Nikocevic (Sallhag) 87’.

Saves: S-Chris Antonio 5 (1ga, 90 min); N-Evan Barnes 4 (3ga, 90 min); Team Save 1.

Shots: S-13, N-13; Corners: S-5, N-4; Fouls: S-16, N-14; Offsides: S-1, Navy-0.

UMBC 1, Iona 0,

Scoring: UM-Andrew Gillis (Shondell Busby) 34’

Saves: I-Nils Binstock 1 (1ga, 90 min.); U-Steve King 5 (0ga, 90 min.)

Shots: I-10, UMBC-9; Corners: I-3, U-6; Fouls: I-4 ,U-11; Offsides: I-3, U-1. Att: 514