MEN'S SOCCER KEEPS PRESSURE ON, BUT TIES UMBC 0-0 IN OPENER

BOX SCORE CATONSVILLE, Md. – Radford pressured UMBC with a 16-7 shot advantage, including seven tries on frame, but the sides played to a 0-0 (2 OT) tie in their men's soccer season opener on Saturday night.

Luis Grande and Michael Hutcheon had four shots each for Radford – Hutcheon was playing in his first collegiate match.

Goalkeeper Ryan Taylor stopped three shots for the Highlanders in the tie. Phil Saunders was forced to make seven stops for the Retrievers.

“I thought we played very well against a very good UMBC team tonight," head coach Marc Reeves said. "We passed well and certainly had some good chances at goal that we hope on another night will find the net. Our team defending can still improve but to get a shutout on opening night away from home when they have some very talented and dangerous players is good for us."

The Highlanders attacked early in the match, outshooting the Retrievers 6-2 in the first half. Hutcheon, Bernardo Ulmo and Jamie Summers all had chances on frame, but Saunders was equal to the task on all three attempts.

Taylor was forced into action twice in the opening half and made saves on both UMBC shot attempts.

Like the first half, the Highlanders pressured UMBC out of the gate in the second, outshooting the Retrievers 6-1 in the opening 20 minutes of the period. Radford threatened again late in regulation time – Summers had a chance in the 83rd minute, when his shot from inside the penalty box was stopped by Saunders, leading to a follow-up opportunity by Hutcheon that went wide of the goal.

Radford had more scoring opportunities in the extra sessions – in the first overtime, Ulmo's shot from the top of the box was stopped by Saunders to preserve the scoreless tie. In the 109th minute, Grande had a chance tight to the goal from the right side, but his shot sailed over the crossbar.

"We need to be a little better in the final third and still have plenty to work on, but I was pleased with our preparation and energy as a group tonight,” Reeves said.

The Highlanders return to action in the Flash Gordon Motors Invitational, hosted by High Point, Aug. 31-Sept. 2.

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