No. 5 UMBC Sets Road Mark, But Draws, 0-0

October 26, 2013

Vestal, N.Y.-The seventh-ranked UMBC Retrievers extended their unbeaten streak to five, but could not dent the Binghamton net and the two America East squads played to a 0-0 double overtime draw in chilly conditions at the BU Sports Complex.

UMBC set a new school record by extending its road unbeaten streak to nine straight games (6-0-3) dating back to 2012. The Retrievers are now 12-1-2 on the season and 3-0-2 in America East play, while Binghamton is 3-8-5, 1-1-3.

UMBC remained in first place in the America East Conference as second-place UNH fell, 2-1, in double overtime at Albany.

The Retrievers badly outshot the Bearcats, 16-6, and played most of the final 65 minutes in Binghamton territory.

UMBC had several chances in the dying minutes of regulation, but the best opportunity to end the contest occurred late in the first overtime period. Senior midfielder Kadeem Dacres (Rosedale, N.Y./Mercer County CC) took a shot from the right wing, which was stopped by Bearcat netminder Stefano Frantellizzi, but the rebound came to the foot of junior linemate Geaton Caltabiano (Lothian, Md./Mount St. Joseph). Caltabiano quickly took the seven-yard attempt, but Frantellizzi made the second save.

Retriever netminder Phil Saunders (Perry Hall, Md./Perry Hall) recorded his second consecutive shutout and the 21st of his career. He made a pair of saves, both in the first half.

For the sixth consecutive game, UMBC went to halftime in a scoreless tie. The Retrievers nearly got on the board in the third minute, as a Retriever direct kick glanced off a BU defender and hit the crossbar.

The Bearcats, who were celebrating their Senior Night, tested Saunders in the 17^th minute, as the UMBC netminder dove to his right to make a save on a Steven Celeste header.

But the second half and overtime sessions belonged to the Retrievers. With 25 minutes remaining, senior forward Pete Caringi’s (Perry Hall ,Md./Calvert Hall) volley off a corner kick was rejected by Frantellizzi on the goal line.

Dacres’ effort from 25 yards out was also on target, but stopped with two minutes to play and sophomore reserve midfielder Michael Scott (Fife, Scotland) missed on sliding effort in the box with 75 seconds to go.

The Retrievers are 7-0-2 in their last nine America East contests.

UMBC returns to action on Saturday, Nov. 2 when they visit America East newcomer UMass Lowell.