UMBC

Kelly Fiorani scored five goals and added two assists to lead all players with seven points against Virginia Tech.

Blacksburg, Va.-Despite five goals from senior midfielder Kelly Fiorani (Eldersburg, Md./Liberty), the UMBC women’s lacrosse team suffered its first loss of the year, 18-12, to Virginia Tech. The Retrievers fall to 1-1, while the Hokies pick up the win in their season opener.

The Hokies jumped out to an early 3-0 lead before sophomore attack Meghan Keelan (Randallstown, Md./Mount de Sales), assisted by Fiorani, put the Retrievers on the board with her career-high fifth goal of the season at the 21:45 mark. Fiorani brought UMBC to within one with her first goal of the night less than 90 seconds later.

But Virginia Tech would score eight of the next 10 goals to take an 11-4 lead with 2:54 to play in the first half and took a 13-6 advantage into halftime. Fiorani and junior midfielder Kelly Fahey (Bel Air, Md./Bel Air) each scored twice before intermission.

After a quick Hokie goal by Kady McBrearty, the Retrievers went on a 5-1 run to pull to within four at 15-11. Sophomore attack Ali Levendusky (Baldwin, Md./John Carroll) scored twice in that span, while Fiorani, senior midfielder Ede Carpenter (Catonsville, Md./Catonsville/CCBC-Catonsville) and freshman midfielder Kara Dorr (Bel Air, Md./C. Milton Wright) each tallied once.

But Virginia Tech would score three of the final four goals of the game for the 18-12 victory. Fiorani notched the last Retriever goal with 4:29 to play.

Freshmen goalkeepers Jen Venter (Crownsville, Md./Annapolis Area Christian) and Susie Sweeney (Madison, N.J./Madison) each played a half in the net and each recorded four saves, with Venter allowing 13 Hokie goals and Sweeney allowing five. Virginia Tech goalie Carrie Hill stopped nine Retriever shots.

The Hokies out-shot the Retrievers, 36-25, but the teams were even with 18 ground balls and 16 draw controls apiece.

Fiorani led UMBC with five goals, two assists and seven points on 5-for-6 shooting. Fahey and Levendusky each scored twice, while Keelan tallied two points on a goal and an assist.

The Retrievers return to action Tuesday, Feb. 28, when they return home to take on local rival Loyola at 7 p.m. at UMBC Stadium.