The University of Maryland, Baltimore County men’s soccer team fell 1-0 to the No. 25 Bryant Bulldogs in an America East Conference matchup Oct. 2 at Beirne Stadium in Smithfield, Rhode Island. Fermin Rodriguez scored the only goal in the 29th minute.
Rodriguez recovered a loose ball at the 30-yard line and sent a strike past UMBC junior goalkeeper Jackson Boonmast into the upper-left corner. The goal came on Bryant’s first shot on target, and the Bulldogs finished with two shots on goal.
Rodriguez’s Goal Decides Tight Match
UMBC created several chances after falling behind, but Bryant goalkeeper Ramon Camejo helped preserve the lead. With 7:30 remaining in the first half, freshman forward Flynn Holdem directed a free-kick header just over the crossbar while Camejo was off his line.
Freshman forward Langston Fabiyi created another opportunity in the 43rd minute, but his shot from a sharp angle found the side netting. UMBC entered halftime trailing 1-0.
UMBC Creates Second-Half Chances
The Retrievers continued to pressure Bryant after halftime. Two minutes into the second half, junior forward Abdul Kamara sent a cross to junior forward Lance Talley, whose header was tipped onto the crossbar.
With 17:25 remaining, graduate midfielder Alberto Galicia delivered a curling free kick to the back post. Freshman defender Nico Banks headed the ball toward goal, but Camejo made a chest save to keep Bryant in front.
UMBC continued to search for an equalizer in the final minutes. Gunder Miller headed an attempt just over the crossbar with fewer than five minutes remaining, and Holdem’s 88th-minute header skimmed past the far post.
UMBC finished with an 8-7 advantage in total shots and attempted two corner kicks, compared with one for Bryant. Both teams recorded two shots on goal.
University of Maryland, Baltimore County Men’s Soccer Team Looks Ahead
UMBC entered the match with a 3-5-1 overall record and an 0-2 America East record. Bryant entered with a 6-2-2 overall record and a 1-1-0 conference record.
The Retrievers will host No. 23 Vermont at 7 p.m. Oct. 10 at Retriever Soccer Park. The matchup will be UMBC’s next listed contest.
Maryland Sports Blog Take
UMBC controlled the shot count but could not convert its opportunities into a goal. The late chances from Miller and Holdem kept the Retrievers within reach of an equalizer, but Rodriguez’s first-half strike held up for Bryant.
UMBC will next face No. 23 Vermont at home while looking for its first America East victory.
Source: Original report
