UMBC

Philadelphia, Pa.- Drexel’s Lindsey Kovar scored on a free position shot with 10 seconds remaining in regulation, as the host Dragons rallied to nip UMBC, 9-8, at Vidas Field.

UMBC freshman attacker Abby Wilson (Bel Air, Md./Fallston) led all scorers with three goals, while Retriever junior midfielder Lindsay Cox (High Bridge, N.J.) added a pair.

The visitors led, 8-6, after Wilson scored her third goal of the game with 9:33 remaining. But Drexel quickly responded on a free position tally and then tied the game at 8-8 with 7:17 to play.

The Retrievers got one more possession, but Cox fired wide on free position attempt with 4:28 to play. Drexel came away with the ball and attempted three shots in a 26-second span with less than two minutes to play, but misfired on a one and UMBC freshman netminder Anna Barnett (Midland, Texas) turned two aside.

Drexel (7-2) maintained possession and UMBC was whistled for a foul with 12 seconds to play. Kovar converted the eight-meter attempt to give the hosts their fifth consecutive victory.

UMBC (3-5) failed on its fourth attempt to win back-to-back contests this season.

The Retrievers got out to a 2-0 lead on goals by sophomore midfielder Kristen Bilney (Ellicott City, Md./Mount Hebron) and Wilson 7:10 into the contest. Drexel responded with 5-1 run over the next nine minutes and took a 5-3 advantage midway through the stanza. But UMBC completed the half with a 4-0 surge, capped by a pair of Cox unassisted tallies, propelling the Retrievers to a 7-5 lead at the break.

But UMBC was outshot, 16-5, in the second half, and despite seven saves by Barnett over the final 30 minutes, fell for the second time in 2012 when leading at halftime.

Junior Kendall Mason (Lloyd Harbor, N.Y.) played the first 30 minutes and made three saves, while allowing five goals.

Drexel converted on 4-of-10 free position attempts, while UMBC was 1-of-4.

UMBC opens America East Conference play on Sat., March 24 when they host defending league champion Albany at noon.