Freshman goalie Christine Bacinski set a new career high with eight saves against American.

Ellicott City, Md.-Despite an early goal from sophomore forward Jessica Young (Waldorf, Md./Thomas Stone) the UMBC women’s soccer team (1-2-0) lost to American, 2-1, on Friday. The Eagles (1-2-0) were led by two goals from midfielder Marcela Ricupero.

The Retrievers jumped out of the gate strong, as Young scored her second goal of the season on a breakaway just 1:58 into the game. Despite heavy pressure from American’s offense, UMBC held a 1-0 lead for more than 30 minutes, thanks in part to clutch saves by freshman goalkeeper Christine Bacinksi (Hampstead, Md./Mount de Sales).

But at the 33:15 mark, Ricupero converted a pass from teammate Katlyn Miller to tie the game. Just over six minutes later, at 39:31, Ricupero headed in the game-winner off a dish from Siobhan Gillan to give the Eagles the lead for good at 2-1.

American out-shot UMBC 19-7, including 13-3 in the first half, but Bacinski set a new career high with eight saves. She had tied her previous high of six by the end of the first half. Eagle goalie Alison Doyle recorded three saves. American also had more corner kicks than UMBC at 9-4.

The Retrievers are next in action on Sunday, when they travel to Radford, Va., to take on the Highlanders of Radford University at 1 p.m.