University of Maryland, Baltimore County Women’s Soccer will visit No. 1 Binghamton in the America East semifinals at 1 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 8, in Vestal, New York. The No. 5 Retrievers enter with a 10-5-4 overall record and a 3-3-2 America East mark, while the top-seeded Bearcats are 8-3-5 overall and 4-1-3 in conference play.
The semifinal marks UMBC’s first appearance in the round since 2014. The Retrievers advanced by defeating No. 4 Vermont, 1-0, in overtime on Nov. 5, with the deciding own goal coming 2:41 into the first overtime period.
UMBC Reaches Semifinal After Overtime Win
Freshman Brooke Clagett created the decisive opportunity against Vermont by beating her defender near the right end line and sending a cross into the box. A Vermont defender inadvertently redirected the ball into the net, sending UMBC into the semifinal round.
The victory gave UMBC 10 wins for the first time since 2014. The Retrievers last won the America East title in 2013, when they finished 13-6-2 overall and 6-2 in conference play.
UMBC is 3-3-2 on the road this season. The Retrievers rank second in America East with 1.526 goals per game and third with 5.74 shots on goal per game.
Key Players for University of Maryland, Baltimore County Women’s Soccer
Clagett and redshirt sophomore midfielder Zoe Brossman are tied for fifth in the America East with six goals apiece. Clagett is also tied for 10th in the conference with 0.74 points per game, has four game-winning goals and ranks fourth with 19 shots on goal.
Brossman is tied for 10th in the conference with 0.74 points per game and became the first UMBC Retriever named to the America East First Team since 2014. Sophomore defender Hailey Ahmed earned Second Team honors after recording three goals and three assists.
Junior goalie Amara Codd has played 1,712 minutes and enters the semifinal with a 1.00 goals-against average, a .791 save percentage and eight shutouts. Ahmed, sophomore midfielder Delainey Proctor and graduate forward Cece Price are tied for the team lead with three assists.
No. 1 Binghamton Brings Conference Success
Binghamton secured its fourth America East regular-season title in the last five years and carries the No. 1 tournament seed for the fourth time in that span. The Bearcats closed the regular season with a 1-0 loss at Vermont, ending a 21-game conference unbeaten streak.
Binghamton has lost three consecutive America East semifinal appearances. Senior back Sophia Garofalo was named the conference’s Defensive Player of the Year, while junior forward Jahkaya Davis received Striker of the Year honors.
Recent Series Meeting Ended in a Draw
UMBC trails the all-time series with Binghamton, 2-20-3, but the teams played to a scoreless draw Oct. 15 at Retriever Soccer Park. Junior defender Gabby Larson made a goal-line clearance for the Retrievers, and Binghamton goalie Rebecca Kessler made a fingertip save on a shot by Brossman.
The match also included close chances for senior midfielder Emily Hiney, sophomore midfielder Delainey Proctor and senior forward Paige Luke. The last three meetings have been decided by one goal or fewer.
Sunday’s semifinal is scheduled for 1 p.m. in Vestal, New York. ESPN+ and live statistics will be available for the America East matchup.
MSB Analysis
UMBC enters the semifinal after reaching 10 wins and returning to the America East semifinal round for the first time since 2014. The scoreless draw with Binghamton earlier this season gives the Retrievers a recent result against the conference’s top seed, while Clagett and Brossman enter tied for fifth in the league with six goals each.
Source: Original report
