UMBC

Kali Schwartz has taken a team-high four shots this season.

BALTIMORE—The UMBC women’s soccer team (0-2-0) heads down Interstate-95 in search of its first victory of the season this weekend at the D.C. Invitational. The Retrievers will take on host Georgetown on Friday at 2:30 p.m. before facing American on Sunday at 12 p.m. Both games will be played at Georgetown’s North Kehoe Field.

Last Time Out: The Retrievers dropped their first two games of the season last weekend, falling to Bucknell in the home opener, 3-0, on Aug. 22, and on the road to Villanova, 7-0. Both opponents are ranked in the top 20 in the region by Soccer Buzz Magazine. Senior goalie Christine Bacinski (Hampstead, Md./Mount de Sales) recorded four saves against the Bison, while freshman keeper Mo Van Vlerah (Boyds, Md./Northwest) stopped six shots against the Wildcats in her first collegiate action.

Dawg Bites: Senior back Kali Schwartz (Congers, N.Y./Clarkstown South) has taken half of the Retrievers eight shots on the season… The Retrievers’ top four goal scorers from last season were all freshmen, led by forward Ashley Singer (4g, 8pts) and back Morgan Warrington (3g, 7pts)… UMBC returns 69 percent of its offense (11 of 16 goals) from 2007… Schwartz and senior midfielder Amy Morrison (Crofton, Md./South River) repeat as team captains.

Hoya Hits: Georgetown (1-0-0) defeated American, 2-1, in overtime in the season opener on Aug. 23. Forward Toni Marie Hudson and midfielder Samantha Baker each scored goals, while midfielder Kelly D’Ambrisi was credited with two assists. Goalie Jackie DesJardin recorded six saves in 100 minutes of action. The Hoyas are ranked sixth in the Mid-Atlantic region by Soccer Buzz Magazine. Georgetown was picked to finish third in the National Division in the Big East preseason poll, and midfielder Sara Jordan was named to the Big East Preseason All-Conference Team. The Hoyas return four of their top five scorers from a 2007 squad that won the most games in program history (14) and earned its first-ever berth in the NCAA Tournament.

The Series: The Hoyas hold a 2-0-0 lead in the all-time series with the Retrievers. The teams have not met since Sept. 17, 2001, a 3-1 victory for visiting Georgetown.

Eagle Bits: American (0-1-0) dropped its season opener, 2-1, to Georgetown on Aug. 23. Forward Kelsey Brasher scored the Eagles’ lone goal of the game, while reigning Patriot League Goalkeeper of the Year Kelsey Wiggins made 11 saves in 100 minutes of action. The Eagles were picked to finish four in the Patriot League preseason poll after finishing second last season, undefeated in conference play at 4-0-3. American returns 17 players from the 2007 squad, including reigning Rookie of the Year Friederike Engel.

The Series: American leads the all-time series against UMBC, 8-2-2. The teams played every year from 1990-96. The Retrievers and Eagles last met on Sept. 2, 2005, a 2-1 victory for visiting American.