Baltimore, MD- On a frigid night the men’s soccer team faced off against conference foe Stony Brook just four days after dropping their conference opener to Vermont.  But in another rough contest that has 32 fould committed between th two teams, UMBC avoided being taken out of their game and downed the Seawolves, 2-0.

Just 12 minutes into the game Andrew Bulls gave UMBc the early lead with shot to the lower right corner of the goal.  His goal marked his 14th of the season and eighth game winner.  One the play he kicked the ball forward to Levi Houapeu, ran past him and got the ball back with nobody around him for the open shot.  He has scored a point in 11 straight games, which ties a UMBC division I record set by Giuliano Celenza in 2000.

Andrew Bulls netted a game winning goal in the 13th minute off a give and go to Levi Houapeu.

Just a few minutes after that tragedy hit for UMBC.  Freshman center back Liam Paddock went down with a foot injury which kept him out for the rest of the game, forcing Caringi to make a few moves.  Right back Vince Savarese moved inside to Paddock’s spot while Jason McCarron, who did not start the game because of a foot injury suffered against Loyola, stepped into Savarese’s spot at right back.  Usual mid fielder Sean Rothe started the game at McCarron’s usual left back spot while Chris Williams once again manned the center of the defense.

But the defense stepped it up big, and in particular Savarese.  Even with his height only being 5’8″ he played a great game at center back and was a big reason freshman goalkeeper Phil Saunders only needed to save four shots.

With UMBC ahead by the lone goal at halftime, they Retrievers looked to be poised to avenge their loss from less than a week prior.  In the 52nd minute Houapeu added an insurance goal after he blasted a shot into the upper right corner from 23-yards out to put UMBC up 2-0, which lasted for the final minutes.

UMBC’ returns to action on Saturday, Oct. 10 at 1:00 when they take on New hampshire, who beat #15 Boston U 2-1 just minutes following the end of the UMBC game.

Further coverage of this game will be available in the Oct. 13 issue of The Retriever Weekly.