The Stony Brook men's soccer team received a goal from sophomore Will Casey (Setauket, N.Y.) in the second minute of its match vs. UMBC and never looked back, knocking off the Retrievers, 3-0, Wednesday night at Retriever Soccer Park.

The Seawolves have now improved to 4-1-1 in America East and have leapfrogged UMBC in the standings. With 13 points, Stony Brook is in second place, just two points behind Boston University. The Seawolves have clinched at least third place in the league and are guaranteed at least one home game in the America East Championship.

"Give credit to UMBC, they're a good team, but tonight I thought we were really good," head coach Ryan Anatol said. "We created a lot of chances for ourselves, and we were able to execute."

Before fans were fully settled into their seats, Casey put the ball in the net when he intercepted a UMBC pass from the top of the box and rocketed it past UMBC goalkeeper Dan Louisignau.

Later in the first half, junior Kyle Schlesinger (Selden, N.Y.) was awarded a free kick, and he sailed it into the box, where senior Serigne Sylla (Dakar, Senegal) headed the ball in past Louisignau.

The Seawolves kept peppering the UMBC defense in the first half, including a great chance by Raphael Abreu (New York, N.Y.) in the 38th minute that Louisignau saved.

UMBC threatened early in the second half as Pete Caringi had a header that junior Stefan Manz (Bronx, N.Y.) made a save on. He then got a second opportunity, but that shot hit the crossbar.

Abreu subbed back into the game in the 73rd minute and immediately scored to put the Seawolves up 3-0. He took a no-look pass from junior Leonardo Fernandes (Sao Paulo, Brazil) and then chipped it over Louisignau's head for the goal to put the game on ice.

Stony Brook outshot UMBC 14-13 overall and 8-3 in shots on goal. The match was also very physical with Stony Brook committing 19 fouls and UMBC committing 16 fouls, though no one was carded.

Manz made three saves for the Seawolves for his fourth shutout of the season and 13th of his career. The Seawolves defense was led by Kyle McTurk (Hauppauge, N.Y.) and Charlie Jones (Birmingham, England).

Stony Brook will wrap up the regular season Sunday vs. Hartford at LaValle Stadium at 5 p.m. The Seawolves can clinch a first-round bye in the America East Championship with a win or a UMBC loss or tie. The Seawolves can also win the regular season crown with a win and a Boston University loss. It will be Senior Day, and Stony Brook will honor its four seniors, Steven Medwinter (St. Albans, N.Y.), Kyle McTurk (Hauppauge, N.Y.), Serigne Sylla (Dakar, Senegal) and Mame Samb (Dakar, Senegal).

---

RECOMMENDED FOR YOU

ECNL Girls N. Atlantic Players to Watch

Women's NCAA Tournament Round Two Preview

Best of Men's College Soccer Week 13