Durham, N.H. – UMBC senior forward Kay Banjo (Upper Marlboro, Md./Largo/Towson U.) scored last in the first half and senior back Oumar Ballo (Baltimore, Md./Archbishop Curley) added a second half insurance goal as the Retrievers blanked host New Hampshire, 2-0, in America East action.

UMBC improved to 3-0-1 in conference and 7-5-3 overall, while UNH slipped to 1-4-0 and 5-8-1. The Retrievers extended their unbeaten streak against America East rivals to 20 games, dating back to 2012. UMBC is tied with UMass Lowell (3-1-1) for first place in the league standings, but has a game in hand and a victory over the River Hawks.  

UMBC threatened early, as junior midfielder Michael Scott (Fife, Scotland) cracked a shot from the left side on goal, but UNH netminder Travis Worra made a clean save to keep the game scoreless. The Retrievers had a slight edge in play in the first 40 minutes, but capitalized on a great individual effort by Banjo to take the lead a minute later.

Banjo captured the ball 45 yards from the net and got to the center of the field. He unleashed a one-hopper from 26 yards out to the right of Worra and just inside the left post. The score was Banjo’s league-leading seventh of the season and his third in four conference outings.

Trailing 1-0 at the break, the host Wildcats produced a flurry and the midpoint of the half, forcing UMBC sophomore goalkeeper Billy Heavner (Landisville, Pa./Hempfield) to make his best save of the night, as he nudged a drive by Fazal Nabi just over the crossbar.

But UMBC recovered and scored an insurance goal off a corner kick in the 73rd minute. Senior midfielder Mamadou Kansaye’s (Baltimore, Md./McDonogh) effort from the right corner found Ballo, who headed the ball beyond Worra and inside the near right post from nine yards out.

The goal was Ballo’s second of the season with both coming off corner kicks.

UMBC maintained steady ball possession in the final 17 minutes to record their first shutout in America East play this season.

Heavner made a pair of saves, as the Retrievers outshot the Wildcats, 20-14. Worra turned aside five UMBC shots.    

The victory was UMBC’s first regular season triumph at UNH and second all-time (2-4-2). UMBC is unbeaten vs. UNH in the last eight meetings, with four wins and four draws going back to 2009.

The Retrievers return home for the make-up of a previously postponed game versus Binghamton on Wednesday, Oct. 29. Kick-off time is set for 7:00 p.m.

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