OMAHA, Neb. - The city that saw the culmination of one of the best NCAA runs in America East history could witness another on Friday as UMBC plays at 12th-seeded Creighton for a spot in the NCAA Men's Soccer College Cup. The quarterfinal contest kicks off at 8 p.m. EST in Omaha, where Stony Brook appeared in the College World Series just two and a half years ago.
UMBC (14-5-4), unbeaten in its last nine games (8-0-1) , advanced to the quarters by beating Wake Forest, Maryland and Louisville in the first three rounds, all on the road. The Retrievers, who are seeking to become the first America East men's soccer team to reach the Final Four, are the conference's third program to reach the quarterfinals, joining Hartford (1996) and Vermont (1989). UMBC can join Albany field hockey as America East teams to reach their respective Final Four this fall by advancing.
Sophomore goalkeeper Billy Heavner has led the Retrievers' run. The netminder hasn't allowed a goal in 290 minutes of NCAA play while stopping all 10 shots he faced. Heavner ranks among the nation's best in both save percentage (.855) and GAA (0.55).
Creighton (16-3-2), one of three Big East schools in the Elite 8, is in the quarterfinals for the third time in the last four seasons. The two programs have never played previously.
The team that advances will play in the College Cup next weekend in Cary, N.C.