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News Release
Men's Soccer To Entertain Hartford in Key America East Match on Wednesday
10/7/2008
The UMBC men's soccer team (5-2-2, 0-0-1) plays the first of two critical America East home games on Wednesday, Oct. 8 when they take on the Hartford Hawks (5-3-2, 1-0-0). Kick off time at UMBC Soccer Stadium is set for 3:30 p.m.
Game Notes
The UMBC men’s soccer team managed to get a key point on the road Saturday as they played host Maine to a 0-0 double overtime tie in chilly, blustery conditions at Alumni Field.
Chris Williams had UMBC’s best chance of the day, but his header in the 72nd minute hit the underside of the crossbar. The Retrievers had 11 second half shots and the shot totals were even for the day at 17 each.
Steve King recorded three saves to post his 21st career shutout and needs three more shutouts to take over the all-time lead in school history.
The Retrievers lead the series, 4-1-1 and are unbeaten in five straight vs. the Black Bears. However, the Retrievers’ road winless streak in America East play was extended to five straight.
UMBC’s last eight games have been decided by a single goal or gone to the distance to a draw.
The Retrievers are 14-2-5 in five years of America East Conferece play at home and are unbeaten in its last six (4-0-2) since a loss to Binghamton in 2006.
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Series Notes
UMBC leads the series, 4-1-2 with the Hawks and are unbeaten (2-0-1) in three all-time meetings in Baltimore. Last season, the teams met twice in Hartford, as the Hawks prevailed, 2-1 in the regular season. However, UMBC returned to Al-Marzook Field 11 days later and advanced to the America East Conference semifinals via penalty kicks, 5-4. The game was tied after regulation at 1-1. Kevin Gnatiko and Dan Bulls scored the UMBC goals vs. the Hawks last season. Gnatiko also scored against the Hawks in UMBC’s 5-2 win in 2006.
The Hawks
Junior forward Carlos Villa has been exceptional this year, as he has scored a league-high nine goals. That figure is also tied for seventh-best in the country. Freshman forward/midfielder Patrick Boucher is the reigning America East Rookie of the Week as he scored the game-winning goal in the Hawks’ 1-0 win over UNH on Saturday. Hartford is 1-2-1 on the road this season and undefeated (4-0-1) at home. Last year’s leading Hawks’ scorer, Andreas Blamo, is out for the season with a knee injury.