PHILADELPHIA - Nearing the midpoint of their season, the La Salle Explorers took on the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) on Saturday night at McCarthy Stadium after returning from a three-game road trip. Unfortunately, the result did not end in La Salle’s favor as the 5-4 Explorers fell to the Retrievers 2-1 in overtime. This was La Salle’s last non-conference game before their Atlantic 10 games begin next Saturday.
Goalkeeper Mike Kirk started for La Salle and registered nine saves to keep the game close. Kirk currently has four shutouts this season, which puts him tied for first in the A-10.
UMBC scored first, going up by one at the 34-minute mark. La Salle’s Colman Kennedy was able to tie the game at one a piece midway through the second half on a free kick. The senior defender now has a total of four goals this season, including three in the last four games.
La Salle's senior defender, Colman Kennedy - photo courtesy of GoExplorers.com
The game would need one overtime period to decide the winner of the match. At the 96-minute mark, UMBC would break the tie and win the game 2-1.
Although La Salle did not pull-off the victory, the Explorers displayed nice offense as they took 13 shots throughout the game, 7 of which were on goal.
Key players for La Salle include Mike Kirk who looks to remain at the top of the A-10 leaderboard, as well as Colman Kennedy who leads the La Salle team in goals for the season (3). Matt Robinson and Johnny Ciarlante follow close behind with two goals a piece for the season. Robinson also has five assists and leads the A-10 in points (9).
The Explorers will get a week off before hosting Saint Louis at McCarthy Stadium on Saturday, October 1 at 7:00pm. The game will kick off La Salle’s first Atlantic 10 game of the season.