WASHINGTON -- UMBC's week of high aspirations came to a crashing end yesterday.
Matching the soggy, grass turf of Harbin Field in sloppiness, the No. 9 Retrievers witnessed many of their numerous mistakes compounded by Georgetown, handing the No. 8 Hoyas an 11-6 victory before 1,276 rain-soaked spectators.
UMBC (3-2), which stood undefeated this time last week, never established firm footing yesterday as a result of costly blunders among the puddles and mud, and apparently hadn't regained its focus since getting hammered by No. 2 Duke four days ago. Georgetown (4-0), which beat the Retrievers by a goal in the first round of last year's NCAA tournament, is off to its best start since 1994.
"We're disappointed we lost the game, but we did just go through a tough stretch," UMBC coach Don Zimmerman said. "I told the guys: Be disappointed we lost, but don't be discouraged. We have a lot of time to improve on our game, which we need to do."
Take your pick of the Retrievers' horrible miscues.
They allowed the Hoyas to score while being a man down. They failed to back up shots twice in the third quarter alone. They had as many failed clears as goals scored in the first half.
They threw the ball over teammates. They threw it to teammates who weren't expecting passes. And they once threw it to a teammate who was running off the field during a substitution sequence.
"Although we played hard, our sloppiness hurt us," UMBC attackman Chris Turner said. "Sometimes when you play hard it can make up for being sloppy. And today, they just didn't let that happen for us."
UMBC surged back from five goals down to reduce the deficit to 7-4 with 3: 41 left in the third quarter, when Josh Hahn zipped a shot into the upper right corner of the goal. A couple of minutes later, the Retrievers appeared ready to inch closer when they received an extra-man opportunity.
But no one was behind the goal on a shot by Turner, giving the ball to Georgetown 20 seconds into the penalty. And before most of the Retrievers could turn their heads, Hoyas long-stick defenseman Greg Papa had scored at the other end to push the margin to 8-4.
The Hoyas expanded their lead to 10-4 midway through the fourth, and UMBC would never creep closer than four goals.
"It seemed like every time they tried to rise up to make a little run, we had a response," Georgetown coach Dave Urick said.
Georgetown assumed control immediately, reeling off five straight goals for a 5-1 advantage 4 1/2 minutes into the second quarter. UMBC went reeling in the other direction, going scoreless for 21 minutes and committing six turnovers with erratic passing.
It was a distinct contrast in offenses as the poised Hoyas attack of Andy Flick (five goals), Greg McCavera (three goals) and Scott Urick (two goals) overwhelmed UMBC's close defense, getting wide-open looks on the crease by using screens from its midfielders as well as finding gaps in the defense during fast breaks.
"I just think the Georgetown attack plays well together," Zimmerman said. "On a wet field and with their experience and ability, they can make a defense look bad."
The Retrievers could have built some momentum heading into halftime, holding the ball with a minute left in the second quarter and trailing 5-2.
But Hoyas goalkeeper Brian Hole sprang out of the crease to double-team Hahn, forcing the ball loose, and 29 seconds later, McCavera split a double team and Georgetown went into halftime up 6-2.
"We're definitely hurt," said UMBC goalkeeper Andrew Hampson, who staved off a rout with 18 saves, many from close range. "But we still have a lot more lacrosse to play. We're broken, but I have a lot of confidence in this team that we'll bounce back."
Pub Date: 3/22/99
