NORFOLK, Va. - UMBC will try to advance to the second round of the NCAA College Cup for the second time in three years and become the eighth America East squad in the past 11 years to do so when it takes on Old Dominion in the tournament's first round Thursday at 7 p.m. at ODU Soccer Complex.
The winner will advance to the second round to face ninth-seeded North Carolina Sunday at 5 p.m. in Chapel Hill.
UMBC (11-4-5), which earned its NCAA bid by beating New Hampshire in a
penalty kick shootout after the two teams played to a scoreless tie in
the America East title game Saturday, is making its third all-time NCAA appearance. The Retrievers play Stony Brook, 1-0, in the America East semifinals before winning the championship, 4-2, in the shootout. Phil Saunders recorded shutouts in both games, including the title game when he made five saves and stopped two of UNH's four penalty kick attempts, to earn the championship's Most Outstanding Player honor. The Retrievers, who lead America East in goals allowed (0.85 gpg) and rank second in goals scored (1.75 gpg), are unbeaten in their last seven games (6-0-1).
The Retrievers, who are unbeaten in their last seven games (6-0-1) and have outscored their foes 19-3 in that stretch, are 1-1-1 all-time in NCAA play. UMBC beat No. 10 Princeton, 1-0, in the first round in 2010 before drawing William & Mary, 0-0, in the second round and losing the penalty kick shootout, 4-3. In 1999, UMBC fell to Duke, 4-3.
Old Dominion (11-3-2) received an at-large bid after going 6-1-1 in conference play. The Monarchs are unbeaten in four of their last five games.
America East teams are 14-24-6 all-time in NCAA tournament play and have reached the second round in eight of the last 11 years. Hartford and Vermont have advanced the furthest in the tournament, each reaching the quarterfinal round in 1996 and 1988, respectively.