It was the first college game ever for nearly half of the University of Maryland-Baltimore County lacrosse team, but the players left the field Saturday feeling like grizzled veterans against Brown Saturday.
The young Retrievers learned how to jump on an opponent early and how to weather a late comeback before learning how to come up with a big play in sudden-death overtime in a 12-11 win at UMBC Stadium.
UMBC (1-0) led 10-5 in the third quarter before Brown (0-1) rallied to tie the game at 11 with 5:24 remaining in regulation. Retrievers? sophomore midfielder Alex Hopmann then scored the game-winner 27 seconds into overtime in the season-opener for both schools.
For UMBC coach Don Zimmerman, Saturday?s game was just what his team needed as it prepares to travel to Denver to compete in the Pioneer Face-Off Classic with games against Air Force Saturday and Denver Sunday.
“We had a lot of guys getting significant playing time in their first game and I felt they fought hard, especially when we held Brown defensively at the end of regulation,” Zimmerman said.
Zimmerman?s biggest concern came from the defensive end where senior midfielders Dan Carmack (hip pointer) and Kelvin Moulden (shoulder) both suffered injuries, which coincided with much of Brown?s second-half comeback. The status of both players is uncertain for the upcoming week.
Offensively, UMBC was balanced for most of the game against Brown as seven players scored. Retriever junior midfielder Terry Kimener led the team with three goals and three assists. Senior attack Drew Westervelt finished with two goals and two assists, while Hopmann and freshman midfielder Kyle Wimer scored twice each for UMBC.
“We got a few leads and played well on defense at times,” Westevelt said. “We then let them get back in the game before Hopmann made a great play in overtime to win the game. It?s what you expect for the first game of theyear.”
Hopmann said despite being only a sophomore, he is ready and willing to take on a bigger role for UMBC this year.
“We?ve got great senior leadership, but we also have more than 20 freshmen,” the former Annapolis standout said. “Now it?s time for me to become more of a leader.”
Extra shots
» UMBC won 18 of 26 face-offs, had a 29-20 groundball advantage and outshot Brown, 45-39, Saturday,
» UMBC goalie Jeremy Blevins had 13 saves while his Brown counterpart, Jordan Burke, finished with 18.
» Midfielder Alex Buckley had four goals and an assist and attack Jack Walsh had three goals and an assist for Brown.
