UMBC Claims Inaugural Blake Elliott Cup With 3-2 Victory Over Loyola

The UMBC men’s soccer team opened its 2026 season with a meaningful victory Sunday night, defeating crosstown rival Loyola Maryland, 3-2, to capture the inaugural Blake Elliott Cup at Retriever Soccer Park.

The Retrievers controlled much of the match, outshooting Loyola 27-7, and three different UMBC players found the back of the net. Gunder Miller opened the scoring, freshman Flynn Holdem restored UMBC’s lead in the second half and Abdul Kamara converted a late penalty kick that ultimately stood as the game-winner.

UMBC also played in front of a record-setting announced crowd of 3,806, surpassing the previous Retriever Soccer Park record of 3,766.

The victory gave UMBC a 1-0 start to the season while Loyola dropped to 0-2.

Miller Gives UMBC the Early Lead

UMBC established control almost immediately.

The Retrievers generated 14 shots during the opening half while limiting Loyola to just one. That pressure finally paid off in the 24th minute.

Lance Talley worked the ball to Miller, who turned toward goal and fired from just outside the 18-yard box. Miller beat the Loyola goalkeeper to put UMBC ahead 1-0 at the 23:15 mark.

Nico Banks was also credited with an assist on the play.

UMBC maintained the lead through halftime after putting together a dominant opening 45 minutes.

The Retrievers had significantly more possession in dangerous areas and consistently forced Loyola to defend around its own penalty area.

Loyola Responds

The Greyhounds came out much more aggressively in the second half.

Loyola finally broke through in the 56th minute when Nino Venezia scored his first goal of the season, tying the game at one.

The equalizer could have shifted momentum completely toward the Greyhounds.

UMBC had a quick answer.

Shortly afterward, Alberto Galicia delivered a corner kick into the penalty area. The ball eventually reached Holdem, who blasted his opportunity toward goal. The shot took a deflection off a Loyola defender and found the net, putting UMBC back in front 2-1.

It was Holdem’s first collegiate goal.

Holdem’s performance also earned him America East Rookie of the Week honors following the match.

Kamara Converts Crucial Penalty

The game remained 2-1 deep into the second half before another major moment arrived in the 82nd minute.

Kamara attacked inside Loyola’s penalty area and was brought down following a challenge from the Greyhound defense.

After replay review, UMBC was awarded a penalty kick.

Kamara stepped to the spot and delivered.

The transfer calmly converted the penalty to give UMBC a 3-1 advantage at the 81:13 mark. It was Kamara’s first goal as a Retriever and eventually became the game-winning goal.

UMBC appeared to have finally created some breathing room.

It lasted only 32 seconds.

Loyola immediately went back on the attack, and Nick Laffey scored at the 81:45 mark to cut UMBC’s lead to 3-2.

Suddenly, a match UMBC had largely controlled turned into a frantic finish.

Retrievers Survive Late Loyola Push

Loyola pushed numbers forward over the closing minutes while looking for the tying goal, but the UMBC defense protected its advantage.

The Retrievers ultimately closed out the 3-2 victory and became the first team to lift the Blake Elliott Cup.

UMBC’s statistical dominance showed just how much of the game the Retrievers controlled.

UMBC finished with a 27-7 advantage in shots and a 7-3 advantage in shots on goal.

The Retrievers also earned five corner kicks compared with two for Loyola.

Loyola goalkeepers Connor O’Keefe and Felix Huebner combined for four saves, while UMBC needed only one save.

Despite the narrow final score, UMBC generated nearly four times as many shots as the Greyhounds.

A Record Crowd at Retriever Soccer Park

The significance of the night extended well beyond the result.

UMBC announced a crowd of 3,806, setting a new Retriever Soccer Park attendance record.

The previous record was 3,766.

The atmosphere was boosted by UMBC’s Welcome Back festivities and the return of the UMBC-Loyola rivalry.

Sunday marked the first meeting between the two Baltimore-area programs in more than a decade.

That alone would have made the matchup notable.

The creation of the Blake Elliott Cup made it much more meaningful.

Remembering Blake Elliott

UMBC and Loyola created the Blake Elliott Cup earlier this year to honor the life and memory of Blake Elliott.

Blake, 16, died in a car accident in September 2025.

Her family has deep connections to both soccer programs through her father, Rob Elliott.

Rob Elliott played at Loyola from 1989 through 1991 and remains among the program’s career leaders in several offensive categories. Despite spending only three seasons with the Greyhounds, he recorded 28 career assists, which remains tied for fourth in program history.

He later finished his collegiate career at UMBC in 1993.

Elliott helped the Retrievers finish 15-3-1 that season and recorded 16 assists, which remains UMBC’s single-season program record. He also earned Second Team All-Big South honors.

With connections to both schools, the Elliott family worked alongside UMBC head coach Anthony Adams and Loyola head coach Steve Nichols to establish an annual game between the two programs.

The event supports the Blake Elliott 3 Foundation.

The foundation was created to continue Blake’s legacy through initiatives benefiting young people and families, promoting kindness and acceptance, creating opportunities in youth athletics and supporting animal care and safety.

That made Sunday night much larger than a normal season opener.

UMBC and Loyola renewed a Baltimore soccer rivalry while beginning a tradition designed to keep Blake Elliott’s memory alive.

Baltimore Rivalry Renewed

UMBC and Loyola have two of the most established Division I soccer programs in the Baltimore area, but the schools had not faced each other since 2015.

The creation of an annual Blake Elliott Cup changes that.

Rather than an occasional nonconference matchup, the game now has the opportunity to become one of the highlights of the Baltimore college soccer calendar.

The inaugural meeting certainly delivered.

Five combined goals, a late penalty, an immediate response from Loyola, a record crowd and a one-goal finish made for a dramatic introduction to the new trophy.

UMBC will forever have the distinction of becoming its first champion.

Strong Beginning for the Retrievers

Sunday was technically UMBC’s first completed regular-season game.

The Retrievers were scheduled to open against UNC Wilmington on Aug. 20, but that contest was ruled a no contest.

That made the Blake Elliott Cup UMBC’s first official result of 2026.

For the Retrievers, there were plenty of encouraging signs.

UMBC created 27 shots and received goals from three different players. Miller provided production from the opening whistle, Holdem made an immediate impact as a freshman and Kamara scored his first goal since joining the program.

UMBC also showed an ability to respond quickly after adversity.

When Loyola tied the match early in the second half, the Retrievers answered with Holdem’s goal.

When Loyola scored less than a minute after Kamara’s penalty, UMBC regrouped and protected the lead.

Those are important qualities for a team preparing for a challenging nonconference schedule and eventually America East play.

What Is Next

UMBC remains home Friday, Aug. 28, when the Retrievers host Presbyterian at Retriever Soccer Park.

Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.

The Retrievers then host George Washington on Aug. 31 before playing their first road match of the season Sept. 5 at Lehigh.

UMBC’s nonconference schedule also includes Old Dominion, Howard, William & Mary and Navy before America East competition begins Sept. 26 against UMass Lowell.

MSB Take

There are season-opening victories, and then there are victories that mean something beyond the standings.

This was the second kind.

UMBC deserved the win based on how much of the match it controlled. A 27-7 advantage in shots is significant, and the Retrievers showed several encouraging offensive pieces in their first official match of the season.

Miller started things. Holdem answered Loyola’s equalizer. Kamara delivered under pressure from the penalty spot.

But Sunday night will be remembered for much more than who scored.

A record 3,806 fans showed up at Retriever Soccer Park to watch two Baltimore programs renew their rivalry while honoring Blake Elliott.

Now the Blake Elliott Cup has its first chapter.

UMBC owns the trophy, the rivalry is back and Baltimore college soccer may have gained an annual event worth circling on the calendar every season.

For one night, the Retrievers got the victory.

More importantly, UMBC and Loyola helped ensure that Blake Elliott’s name and legacy will remain part of Baltimore soccer for years to come.

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