UMBC

Baltimore, Md.—The UMBC men’s soccer team saw its unbeaten streak end at four, as national power VCU edged the Retrievers, 2-1 in a non-conference match at UMBC Soccer Stadium.

The Rams, a team that is receiving votes in both the NSCAA and College Soccer News polls, improved to 3-1-1, while the Retrievers fell to the same mark of 3-1-1.

The visitors controlled play in the first half, but a stingy Retriever defense held them off the scoreboard. But VCU capitalized on a flurry in the 59^th minute. Senior forward Pat Viray’s shot from the left side through traffic was brilliantly knocked away by UMBC netminder Steve King (Baltimore, Md./Archbishop Curley). A follow-up effort by VCU deflected off a UMBC defender and landed at the feet of sophomore midfielder Owusu Sekyere, who deposited it past King from seven yards away.

The score was the first goal allowed by UMBC in 398 minutes of action and snapped their shutout string at three.

UMBC would respond well and attacked consistently for the first time in the game over the final 30 minutes. But with the Retrievers pressing the attack, the Rams countered and Viray’s cross from right to left found senior striker Sven Meusch, who stayed onside and scored from six yards away at the 80:04 mark.

Again, the Retrievers continued to press and did cut the lead in half, when junior forward Kevin Gnatiko (Montgomery Village, Md./Watkins Mill) from right to left found sophomore linemate Ime Umoh (Baltimore, Md./Calvert Hall/Methodist). Umoh headed the ball down from eight yards away and it bounded just inside the far right post with 3:28 remaining.

Umoh had UMBC’s best chance in the closing moments, but his blast from 22 yards away in the final minute was blocked by a Ram defender.

VCU outshot the Retrievers, 14-7, with Meusch (four) and Viray (three) amassing half of the Rams’ attempts. King  continued his outstanding play with a season-high seven saves, while Ram netminder Andrew Dykstra totaled three.

UMBC takes on Lehigh in Bethlehem, Pa. on Wednesday, before returning home to entertain another CAA foe, James Madison on Saturday, Sept. 22.

VCU 2, UMBC 1

Scoring: V-Owusu Sekyere 59’; V-Sven Meusch (Pat Viray, Matthijs Maruanaya) 81’; UM-Ime Umoh (Kevin Gnatiko) 87’. Saves: V-Andrew Dykstra 3 (1ga, 90 min.); UM-Steve King 7 (2ga, 90 min.) Shots: V-14, UM-7, Corners: V-2, UM-1; Fouls: V-10, UM-14; Offsides: V-3, UM-3. Att: 367.