BALTIMORE, Md.– A pair of late goals helped lift UMBC to a 2-1 double overtime victory over Villanova in a non-conference match played here at Retrievers Park. The Wildcats drop to 6-6-1 overall, 1-4 BIG EAST while UMBC ups its record to 7-4-2 overall.
The Wildcats fell in double overtime for the second time in four days, having also been edged in the 106th minute at Georgetown on Saturday.
           "I thought we had a good tempo in the first half," stated Villanova head coach Tom Carlin. "We got the goal from Shane and had a number of other chances.
           "UMBC is a tough, physical team, though, and they pressed us and tested our defense by driving the ball. They made us defend and were able to get the equalizer off a scrum in the box."
The night's first shot came off the foot of Villanova junior Evan Vare and it was an indicator of the Wildcats' early quality on this night. VU held an early 4-2 edge in shots and also got a huge save from redshirt freshman Carson Williams in the seventh minute on Tre Pulliam to keep UMBC off the board.
Villanova was rewarded for its work in the 20th minute. A nice run down the right side by junior Sean Teixeira created a corner kick opportunity for the 'Cats. Sophomore Yusuf Cueceoglu sent the ball in and neither team was able to get a handle on it. The ball found its way to junior Shane Bradley, near goal on the set piece. The Havertown, Pa., native chipped the ball into the net for his first goal of the campaign at 19:57.
A few minutes later, Williams again came to the rescue, making a sensational save on Pulliam in the 28th minute to keep VU in front.
Villanova held the lead as the two teams paused at halftime. Williams was credited with four saves in the first 45 as the Retrievers held a 6-5 edge in shots for the period.
The scored remained 1-0 until the 83rd minute. UMBC converted an opportunity when Dylan Poetzel registered his first goal of the campaign off an assist from Cesare Marconi at 82:39.
A few minutes later, opportunity knocked again for the Wildcats. Senior Zach Zandi's bid for the game-winner was knocked away at the last second by Retrievers goalkeeper Quantrell Jones.
           "After they got the equalizer we had our chances," Carlin noted. "We just couldn't get one."
The contest was level at one after 90 minutes.
           The Wildcats owned a 2-1 edge in shots in the first 10 minute extra session but neither team picked up the winner. UMBC, though, put together a sequence at 104:37 as Nick Gumbs scored after assists from Jordan Dove and Patrick Jean-Gilles. That proved to be the difference on this fall night here.
           "Their second goal was similar to the first - they were able to get one off a scrum," stated Carlin.
The Wildcats resume BIG EAST action Saturday when Butler visits the Higgins Soccer Complex. Kickoff is set for 1:05 p.m. and the game will be streamed on the BIG EAST Digital Network via the Fox Sports Go app.
           "We've got three of the final four at home," Carlin said. "We've got to get back to work and take care of business at home."
