BALTIMORE, Md. - FDU men's soccer - riding a three-match unbeaten streak to start the 2022 campaign - suffered their first setback of the season Sunday when the Knights (2-1-1) battled to a 2-1 loss at UMBC. The Retrievers (4-0) sit ranked second in the United Soccer Coaches Northeast Region Coaches Poll and received nine votes in the national rankings as of August 30.
 

How It Happened

1st Half

• Holding their standard formation, FDU's dynamic attack got off to a fast start with a 5' rocket from senior midfielder Jordan Alonge. The London, England product laced his ninth shot of the season, third on-target, looking to put the Knights on the board early.
• Just over seven minutes later, junior Alberto Herranz sprung into action on the back line to clear an attempt from the Retrievers, kicking it off the line.
• A quick touch and turn in the 22' off the boot of UMBC's Spencer Hanks put the Retrievers up 1-0 just before the halfway point of the opening period. Right after the Knights' kickoff, Taylor Calheira launched a shot-on-goal only to be stopped by senior Spencer King.
• 13 minutes after their initial score, the home side doubled their lead with a shot to the center of the goal by Jordan Travers that blew by King and put UMBC up 2-0.
• With approximately two minutes to play, Alonge drew a foul just outside the box leading to an FDU free kick in prime position with Spaniards Tony Gomez and Hugo Bacharach combining for a shot attempt with the pair of juniors splitting the honors - Gomez attempting the free kick and Bacharach using his height advantage to place a header.
• King's three first half saves were his most in a half through FDU's first four fixtures.

2nd Half

• Bacharach came up firing in the 47' minute with a shot to the left of the goal, though his heroics would come in the 76' when he cut the Knights' deficit in half.
• FDU out-shot UMBC 7-to-5 in the final 45 minutes of play with the home side holding the advantage on-target 2-1.
• Herranz continued to hold down the FDU defense resulting in several key challenges and tackles against the Retreviers' attack.
• With a corner kick called for FDU in the 76', Gomez was able to find the head of the 6-foot-4 Bacharach who headed the ball into the net for his first goal - and statistical points - of the season. The reigning NEC Rookie of the Year Gomez tallied his first assist of the campaign with the score.
• The final 10 minutes of soccer at Retriever Soccer Park were intense as FDU increased the offensive campaign while UMBC shored-up their defense after letting up a second half goal in their second-consecutive contest, the last time being against fellow Northeast Conference member St. Francis Brooklyn on Friday, September 2. Heading into Sunday's match against the Burgundy and Blue, UMBC had out-scored opponents 14-3. 
• After a skirmish on the touchline opposite the benches with 10 seconds left, FDU was awarded a free kick which allowed legendary head coach Seth Roland to cook up a set piece which found its way back to Bacharach, though the Benicassim, Spain native would shoot high above the crossbar followed by time expiring.

 

Quotable

"One of the most entertaining games I've been a part of for a long time," said Roland following the match. "Two attacking teams slugging it out for 15 rounds. I love our mentality and if we can keep that up then the results will follow. I'm proud of our commitment and performance " 
 

The Road Ahead

FDU returns home following the two-match road trip for a Friday evening showdown with North Jersey rival Seton Hall, the No. 7 team in the East region, on September 9 at 7 p.m. on the pitch at University Stadium in Teaneck. The Knights last faced the Pirates (2-0-1) in the 2020-21 fall to spring season in South Orange, a 2-0 win for the BIG EAST side.

Connect with FDU men's soccer on Twitter and Instagram, @FDUKnightsMSOC.