OMAHA, Neb. – The UMBC men's soccer team made history Friday, advanceing to the NCAA College Cup, as the Retrievers advanced past No. 12 Creighton, 4-3 in penalty kick, after 110 minutes of scoreless soccer. UMBC is the first America East men's soccer program to reach the College Cup.
Sophomore goalkeeper Billy Heavner saved the first penalty kick and after senior Mamadou Kansaye converted, the Retrievers never trailed in the shoot-out. With the shoot-out tied at 3-3, senior forward Kay Banjo beat Creighting netminder Connor Sparrow to the keeper's right, setting off a wild celebration by the Retrievers, the first unseeded team to reach the College Cup since Charlotte in 2011.
The advancement adds to America East's most successful Fall season in the league's history as UMBC is the league's second team to reach its respective Final Four, joining Albany field hockey.
UMBC, which has not allowed a goal in its four NCAA games, will play the winner of the match between Virginia and Georgetown on Friday, Dec. 12 at 4 p.m. in Cary, N.C.
Information from UMBC Athletic Communications was used in this report.