WASHINGTON, D.C. – UMBC junior forward Lilly Rydon (Stirling, South Australia) helped the Retrievers to a big second half, tallying three points, including the game-winning goal in a 2-1 victory against American in non-conference women’s soccer action on Sunday afternoon at Reeves Field.

The Retrievers improve to 1-1, after splitting its opening weekend of action, while American drops to 0-2. The victory is the first for UMBC since Aug. 31, 2012 and snaps a six-game skid against the Eagles.

With the match scoreless at the half, the black and gold wasted no time getting on the board in the second half, scoring three minutes into the second half and adding Rydon’s game-winner just eight minutes later.

UMBC freshman forward Amanda Dailey (Howell, N.J./Freehold Township/Monmouth) was able to drill a shot, one of four shots placed on goal for the rookie in the contest, into the upper 90 from inside the box, following a pass from Rydon, for her first collegiate goal.

American’s freshman forward Hayley Mullins tried for the quick response, but UMBC senior goalkeeper Lauren Kadet (Oakville, Ontario/St. Thomas) came up big again, preserving the Retrievers’ 1-0 lead.

The Dawgs added another goal, this one coming off a corner kick by junior back Melissa Hummel (Downingtown, Pa./Downingtown East). Sophomore midfielder Nikki Boretti (Crofton, Md./Archbishop) was able to get a touch on the ball that made its way to Rydon, who was able to cash in on her first collegiate goal to give UMBC the two goal advantage.

American was able to get one goal back, as a crowd in front of the net allowed freshman forward Michaela Garcia to loop a ball over the top of Kadet for the score, cutting UMBC’s lead to one, at 2-1, with 14:43 remaining in the contest.  

The Retrievers’ defense would not allow the Eagles another shot in the contest to hang on for the one-goal victory.

Kadet (1-1) finished with six saves on the afternoon, while Dejak (0-2) tallied three.

In the early going, UMBC’s young forwards looked to get on the board after being shut out in Friday’s night’s opener, but freshman Victoria Burress (Bristow, Va./Patriot) sent her first shot wide and Dailey’s shot was scooped up by AU goalkeeper Sarah Dejak to keep the game scoreless 16:13 in.

American’s freshman forward Ashley Bonner put some pressure on the Kadet in the first half, placing two shots on net within a minute time span, but Kadet came up with two of her five saves in the opening period, to send the game scoreless into the break.  

UMBC returns to non-conference action on Friday, Aug. 30 when it travels to St Joseph’s for a 7:30 p.m. start time.

Game Notes
UMBC picks up its first victory against American since Sept. 20, 2000, a 2-0 win at American.
The Retrievers’ last three victories have all come on the road.
American held a 10-6 shot advantage in the contest and tallied two more corners than the Retrievers.
 

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