BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - Bryant University (10-0-1) continued their impressive unbeaten run with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over UMBC (4-5-1) on Saturday afternoon at UMBC Soccer Stadium. Tomas Sentieiro's 67th-minute strike proved decisive before Simon Vujinovic pulled one back for the hosts in the 88th minute, creating a dramatic finish in front of 1,247 fans.
The match remained scoreless through an intense first half despite multiple chances for both sides. Bryant's Jaime Amaro tested UMBC goalkeeper Emigdio Lopez with a low shot in the 7th minute, while UMBC's Yigit Kilic saw his effort blocked in the 13th minute. The tactical battle intensified as Bryant's Abdel Talabi received a yellow card in the 13th minute for an unsporting challenge.
The first half saw Bryant gradually assert control, generating six corner kicks to UMBC's three. Jorge Veintimilla's shot was blocked in the 5th minute, setting the tone for Bryant's aggressive offensive approach. UMBC's defense, anchored by Jonas Nistad, held firm despite sustained pressure, with Branden Johns making several crucial interventions.
The second half brought increased intensity and the breakthrough moment. After multiple substitutions from both sides, Bryant's persistence paid off when Sentieiro found the net in the 67th minute, assisted by Mamadi Jiana. UMBC responded by introducing fresh legs, with Ryan Calheira and Matteo Samori entering to provide attacking impetus. The match's complexion changed dramatically when Vujinovic, who had just entered as an 88th-minute substitute, scored to set up a tense finish.
Final statistics reflected the match's competitive nature, with Bryant recording 13 shot attempts to UMBC's 14. The visitors managed five shots on target compared to UMBC's three, while earning six corner kicks to UMBC's five. The disciplinary count showed four yellow cards, with Bryant receiving three (Talabi, Santiago Blasco Gomez, and Jiana) and UMBC's Samori picking up one.
Several players stood out individually. Bryant's Jiana was particularly influential before being substituted in the 78th minute, while UMBC's Lopez made three crucial saves to keep his team in contention. Vujinovic's impact off the bench demonstrated UMBC's fighting spirit, though ultimately falling short.
Tactically, Bryant's approach emphasized wide play and set-piece opportunities, evident in their six corner kicks. UMBC's strategy evolved throughout the match, with head coach Pete Caringi Jr. making strategic substitutions to chase the game in the final twenty minutes. The introduction of Vujinovic nearly changed the outcome, highlighting the importance of bench depth.
The result extends Bryant's remarkable unbeaten streak to ten matches, solidifying their position as one of the region's top performers this season. For UMBC, despite showing resilience, the loss marks their fifth straight defeat, though the late goal and strong overall performance suggest better days ahead.
Looking ahead, Bryant will aim to maintain their momentum when they host UAlbany on October 10th at 3:00 PM. UMBC faces another challenging test against New Hampshire on October 11th at 7:00 PM, seeking to end their losing streak and build on the positive aspects of this performance.