UMBC

BALTIMORE—Playing in a steady downpour for most of the first half, the UMBC women’s soccer team (1-5-0) dropped a 2-0 decision to Richmond (4-1-1) Friday afternoon at a soggy UMBC Stadium. Originally scheduled to be played on the grass at UMBC Soccer Stadium, the game was moved to the turf at UMBC Stadium due to the threat of lightning.

In the 22nd minute, Richmond midfielder Nora Mann collected a pass from midfielder Kelsey Rdzanek, dribbled around a UMBC defender and shot the ball from 18 yards out into the bottom-right corner of the net to give the Spiders a 1-0 lead.

Five minutes later, the Retrievers appeared to have a golden opportunity to tie the game when sophomore defender Morgan Warrington (Magnolia, Del./St. Thomas Moore Prep) got loose on a breakaway around midfield, but her shot was saved by Richmond goalie Melissa Pacheco.

Late in the 67th minute, Richmond midfielder Jen Ruhe sent a cross to forward Jessie Knight, who headed the ball over UMBC freshman goalie Mo Van Vlerah’s (Boyds, Md./Northwest) head and into the back of the net to put the Spiders ahead, 2-0.

The Retrievers seemed to have another chance to score in the 84th minute when sophomore forward Ashley Singer (Baltimore, Md./Kenwood) kicked the ball backwards to freshman forward Jenna Quaranta (Baltimore, Md./John Carroll) just a few yards from the goal, but she was thwarted by a Spider defender, who knocked the ball away.

Van Vlerah recorded a career-high eight saves, while Pacheco stopped three shots for Richmond.

The Spiders out-shot the Retrievers, 22-5, including 13-3 in the first half. Richmond also held a 7-1 advantage on corner kicks.

The Retrievers return to action on Sunday, when they host N.C. State at 1 p.m. at UMBC Soccer Stadium.