As Retrievers, new and old, descend upon the campus this weekend for the opening of the fall semester, the UMBC soccer teams will be on display in a doubleheader of action on Saturday, August 25.

The women entertain American University at 1:00 p.m. at Retriever Soccer Park, while men open the 2012 campaign by welcoming Radford at 7:00 p.m. Both games are available on www.umbcertrievers.tv. For ardent Retriever fans, purchasing a Retriever Believer All-Access package is a must! You receive all the live action of 75 UMBC home games all year long, plus can always watch the archived broadcasts.  

Under new head coach and Catonsville resident Leslie Wray, the women’s team played some very good soccer in its first two matches. The Retrievers earned a 0-0 overtime draw vs. Lafayette at Retriever Soccer Park on Friday and lost a narrow 2-1 decision at Navy on Sunday.

“We stepped up and played a hard game against a good team,” Wray said of the Retrievers’ effort vs. Lafayette. “The first half we started a little bit flat, but then the heart and the pride came out and we fought hard.”

Lafayette was 9-6-2 a season ago.

The game was delayed over an hour with persistent lightning dancing about Retriever Soccer Park.

Against Navy, UMBC gave up back-to-back first half goals in less than 60 seconds, but senior Rachel McKee (Mount Hebron) scored the Retrievers’ first goal of the season in the 59^th minute and cut the deficit in half.

“We fought hard against a good Navy team,” Wray said. “We got better as the game went along and had some quality chances to tie the game late in the second half.”

For all the latest news on Retriever Athletics, including a season preview of the men’s team, log onto www.umbcretrievers.com. You can also follow UMBCAthletics on Facebook and Twitter!