UMBC

Michelle Worrest's first goal of the season proved to be the game-winner in a 2-1 victory over Vermont.

BALTIMORE—Sophomore forward Michelle Worrest’s over-the-shoulder goal in the 75th minute broke a 1-1 tie and gave the UMBC women’s soccer team (2-11-2, 1-5-0 America East) a 2-1 victory over America East rival Vermont (2-13-1, 1-5-0 America East) Sunday afternoon at UMBC Soccer Stadium.

The win was the Retrievers’ first since a 3-0 triumph over Howard on Sept. 12 and snapped an 0-7-2 stretch over the last nine games. The victory was also UMBC’s first against an America East foe since a 4-0 win over Albany on Oct. 9, 2005.

The game remained scoreless for 34 minutes, despite good opportunities by both teams. Just 3:41 into the game, UMBC freshman forward Meagan Rivera (Fairport, N.Y./Penfield) fired from 10 yards out, but her shot hit the crossbar. Then in the 23rd minute, the Catamounts were awarded a corner kick, which midfielder Carson Laderoute collected just in front of the near goal post, but her shot was blocked by UMBC senior forward Jessica Young (Waldorf, Md./Thomas Stone). And in the 32nd minute, freshman defender Morgan Warrington (Magnolia, Del./St. Thomas Moore Prep) sent a long ball to Young on the ride side. Young passed it to sophomore midfielder Amanda Benedict (Allentown, Pa./Parkland), who just missed wide right.

Finally, late in the 35th minute, freshman forward Ashley Singer (Baltimore, Md./Kenwood) collected a cross from freshman midfielder Megan McDonald (Wyoming, Pa./Dallas) in the box and sent the ball into the upper-left corner of the net for her team-best fourth goal of the season and the Retrievers’ first since Sept. 21 at Sacred Heart, a span of seven games and more than 600 minutes.

The 1-0 lead, which the Retrievers took into halftime, was UMBC’s first advantage since Sept. 15 at Richmond, a game which ended in a 1-1 tie.

The Retrievers had several opportunities to add an insurance goal early in the second half. In the 52nd minute, Singer passed the ball to Young on the right side, and Young sent it toward the far corner, but Vermont goalie Eliza Bradley dived to her right to get her finger tips on it and knock it just wide. Barely a minute later, Warrington fired a shot from 30 yards out, but it hit the crossbar.

In the 65th minute, Vermont midfielder Kaitlin Francis’ shot went just wide, but two minutes later the Catamounts threatened again. Midfielder Lindsey Mucia’s shot at the 66:20 mark was saved by UMBC goalie Christine Bacinski, but Vermont was awarded a corner kick on the play. Midfielder Lexie Kaknes sent the ball to forward Callie Ewald, who knocked it past Bacinski to tie the game at 1-1.

Less than eight minutes later, at the 74:04 mark, Young sent a cross to Worrest. With her back to the goal, Worrest kicked the ball over her shoulder and into the upper-right corner for her first goal of the season and what proved to be the game-winner.

The Catamounts took two shots in the final 16 minutes, their best opportunity coming when Mucia hit the crossbar in the 77th minute.

Bacinski made five saves in the win, while Bradley stopped eight shots for Vermont.

The Retrievers out-shot the Catamounts, 25-12, and the 25 shots were a season high. Vermont held a 5-4 advantage on corner kicks.

The Retrievers return to action on Tuesday, Oct. 23, when they host their final non-conference opponent of the season as Pennsylvania visits UMBC Soccer Stadium at 3 p.m.