UMBC women’s soccer opens doubleheader vs. George Mason on Friday

BALTIMORE (Via UMBC) – UMBC women’s soccer looks to pick up its first victory of the 2015 season on Friday, Aug. 28 when it opens a UMBC soccer doubleheader at Retriever Soccer Park with a 5 p.m. matchup against George Mason. The Retriever men take on Fairfield in the nightcap at 7:30 p.m.

All the live action is available, free of charge, on UMBCRetrievers.tv, courtesy of the America East digital network.

Retriever Soccer Park Promotion

-Social media night! Follow @UMBCSportsMktg on twitter or RETRIEVERBELIEVER on Instagram to get a free UMBC bracelet and enter a FREE under Armour prize pack raffle

-Student penalty kick contest for free Peace of Pizza at halftime.

Scouting the Retrievers (0-1-1)

-UMBC went 0-1-1 in the season opening weekend. The Retrievers were unable to hang on to an early second-half 2-0 lead in their opener at Navy, allowing three straight goals to the Mids. Bucknell took a 1-0 lead in UMBC’s home opener on Sunday, but sophomore Gabby Boehmer (Lebanon, Pa./Cedar Crest) evened the score with her second goal of the weekend to help the Retrievers pick up the draw.

-In 2014, UMBC’s midfield combined for 16 goals and eight assists. Despite the midfield being the Retrievers’ most inexperienced position, all three of UMBC’s goals have come from its midfielders. Boehmer scored in each of the Retrievers’ first two games of the season. The sophomore midfielder tallied one goal and one assist in her rookie campaign. Freshman midfielder Jenna Denis netted her first collegiate goal in the season opener against Navy.

-After tying for second in the conference last season, the Retrievers, who welcome eight newcomers to their roster in 2015, were picked to finish in third in the annual America East Preseason Coaches’ Poll. Fourth-year head coach Leslie Wray has registered a 25-10-5 record over the last two seasons with the Retrievers, but UMBC returns just four starters from last year’s roster.

Scouting the Patriots (1-1-0)

-George Mason dropped its season-opening contest to East Carolina, 2-0, on Friday, but the Patriots were able to rebound with a 3-0 victory against American on Sunday, following three scores from junior Sarah Hardison.

-Hardison was named the Atlantic 10 Player of the Week after tallying her first collegiate hat trick to guide the Patriots to victory against American.

-George Mason returned seven starters and 18 letterwinners from last season’s squad that posted a 4-11-2 record overall and a 2-4-2 mark in league play. Sophomore forward Erin Mitchell is the leading returning scorer from last season.

Inside the Series

-UMBC and George Mason have not faced each other since Sept. 15, 2010. The Patriots hold a 3-0 advantage in the all-time series against the Retrievers, with two of the three contests taking place on GMU’s home field.