New for the 2011-2012 season, the America East Daily Word, a collaboration between AmericaEast.com and AExtra, will recap the previous day's games and on goings on our nine campuses and provide links to recaps, previous, features and exclusive coverage.
When I
wrote the Daily Word yesterday, I told you the UMBC men’s soccer team was
hosting ‘No.2’ Maryland. Before the end
of the day, however, the Terps jumped to the No. 1 team in the country and UMBC
almost made that stay at the top a quick one.
It was
probably the game of the year so far in the conference. But, you know what? I’m going to say it was probably the game of
the year in all of college soccer. And
it’s only September.
There was
pregame hype, the game was on TV, it featured two unbeaten teams, penalty
kicks, overtime, comebacks and late game drama, somersaults, a packed house and
it almost featured a UMBC win.
The
Retrievers and Terrapins battled to a scoreless first half, setting the stage
for some serious fireworks in stanza #2.
After a goal apiece to start play after halftime, Maryland rattled off
two straight to take a 3-1 lead. With
about 6 minutes to go in the game, UMBC’s Sean Rothe scored twice in a span of
71 seconds to draw the Retrievers even and send the game into overtime. At this point, it was pandemonium on Twitter
so it must have been unbelievable in person with all 2, 513 fans that turned
out.
Neither
team scored in the first overtime but UMBC keeper Dan Louisignau made a number
of terrific stops, the best of which coming on a Maryland penalty which would
have given the Terps the win. Dickie V –
are you SERIOUS??!!
For more of the 'Word,' check out the AExtra blog.