UMBC

Vestal, N.Y.— The Retriever men’s soccer team lost a heartbreaking 1-0 overtime decision to defending league champion Binghamton before 677 fans at the new Sports Complex.

UMBC fell to 5-4-2 overall and 1-1-0 in the America East conference while the Bearcats improved to 9-2-0, 2-0-0. Binghamton was receiving votes in both soccer polls this week and was ranked fourth in the Northeast region, while UMBC was ranked tenth in the region.

UMBC looked as if they had the game won in the 95^th minute, as junior midfielder Shondell Busby had a one-on-one opportunity. He shot from seven yards out beat Binghamton netminder Jason Stenta, but hit the inside the of right post.

The Bearcats won it with 1:13 remaining in the first overtime. After a Retriever foul, a serve deep in the UMBC box could not be controlled by either team, but Binghamton midfielder Justin Leskow pounced on it and scored from a sharp angle into the far right corner of the net.

Binghamton had several good scoring opportunities in the first 45 minutes, as King had to turn away a one-on-one chance in the 23^rd minute and a header and Leskow’s header in the 40^th minute went over the crossbar. The Retrievers had an excellent opportunity in the 33^rd minute as junior forward Ime Umoh  came in on a semi-breakway, but his effort to go through the legs of Bearcat netminder Jason Stenta was denied.

The second half was more evenly played, but the scoring chances were not as plentiful. The Bearcats had a shot redirected off the post behind King in the 73^rd minute. UMBC senior Bryan Moffa had a thirty-yarder go just over the crossbar in the 76^th minute and the Retrievers failed to capitalize on a three-on-one as Umoh’s soft shot was easily saved by Stenta in the 88^th minute.

Notes: The Bearcats have now won the last three meetings between the schools and own a 4-1-1 all-time record vs. UMBC…the Retrievers played without starting freshman midfielder Levi Houapeu, who received a red card in the last game vs. Stony Brook.