On Homecoming, UMBC Blanks Albany, 1-0

October 10, 2015

BALTIMORE – UMBC sophomore midfielder Gregg Hauck (Linthicum, Md./North County) headed in a free kick in the 26th minute and junior goalkeeper Billy Heavner (Landisville, Pa.) tied a career high with six saves as a short-handed Retriever side blanked Albany before 1,867 sun-drenched fans at UMBC’s Homecoming festivities.

UMBC (7-2-2, 1-0-1 AE) increased its unbeaten streak to five games and is also unbeaten in its last 21 (17-0-4) America East regular season contests. Albany dropped its third straight and fell to 5-6-1, 0-2-0 AE).

The Retrievers scored the game’s lone goal after drawing a foul six yards outside the left edge of the box. Senior Michael Scott (Fife, Scotland) hooked the free kick into the nine-yard area, where Hauck headed the ball past UA netminder Eric Orologio and into the left corner of the net.

The goal was Hauck’s second of the season and first since he produced a goal and two assists versus Central Arkansas on August 30.

The game looked to take a tough turn for the hosts when senior forward Darius Madison (Philadelphia, Pa.) received two yellow cards in the 43rd minute of play and the Retrievers had to play a man down from that point forward.

Albany did manage to crank off 10 second half shots, but many were not quality chances and Heavner was perfectly positioned for the four shots on goal. His six saves equaled his total in a 2-1 win over U Mass Lowell in 2014.

Heavner posted the fourth shutout of the season and the 12th in his 26 career starts. He tied his coach of a year ago, Dan Louisignau for seventh place on UMBC’s all-time shutouts list.

The Retrievers now lead the all-time series with Albany, 7-4-2 and are unbeaten versus the Danes in the last four contests.

UMBC travels to Vermont for a mid-week date with the Catamounts on Wed., Oct. 14 at 2:30 p.m.