The #5 UMBC Retrievers spoiled senior day for America East rivals Vermont on Saturday, walking out of Moulton Winder field with an 8-6 victory.

In what proved to be the final game for nine UVM seniors, the Catamounts came out firing, with senior Trevor Wagar scoring an unassisted goal less than two minutes into the game. UMBC attack Ryan Smith answered just over a minute later with his first goal of the game.

Following that score, UVM freshman Derek Lichtfuss fired a shot past UMBC goalie Jeremy Blevins. Less than a minute later, Catamount freshman Kyle Hann added another goal for Vermont to bring the lead to 3-1, but UMBC answered with a goal of their own with 1:21 left in the quarter.

Vermont didn’t let up their relentless attempt at handing UMBC their first America East loss of the season, as Hann bounced a shot off the turf for his second goal of the game early in the second quarter.

Following a man up and an even strength UMBC goal, Lichtfuss added his second goal of the game with 10:31 left in the quarter to bring the UVM lead to 5-4. UMBC ended the half with two goals of their own, to take their first lead of the game.

Trailing 7-6 after a defensive struggle in the third quarter, UVM fought hard near the end of the fourth quarter to even the score, but every scoring attempt was squandered by the tough UMBC defense.

The Retrievers added another goal with 1:10 left in the game to seal their victory, ending the Catamounts season, as UVM needed an America East victory to advance to the America East playoffs.

Even with the loss, head coach Ryan Curtis was very pleased with his team’s effort against such a strong opponent.

“I couldn’t be happier with the effort – it’s unfortunate the way it ended, but everyone came out to play today, and I couldn’t be prouder of them,” Curtis said.

As the Catamounts now look forward to next season, they do so without some very important players.

“I just wish my guys had one more chance to play,” Curtis said.