Men's Soccer Senior Night Spoiled By UMBC, 2-1

Tuesday, October 25

Vidas Field

7:00

Drexel University

UMBC (Senior Day)

Photo by: Greg Carroccio

Men's Soccer Senior Night Spoiled By UMBC, 2-1

10/25/2016 9:28:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score

PHILADELPHIA – On a night that started with the Drexel men's soccer team's annual Senior Night ceremony, senior goalkeeper Tyler Afflerbach set a season high with eight saves including a number of impressive close-range stops, but it was not enough as the visiting UMBC Retrievers pulled out a 2-1 victory over the Dragons.

The Dragons recognized Afflerbach and fellow seniors Jameson Detweiler, Aaron Thompson and Aymen Ben Hadj Slama in a pregame ceremony. All four started together for the first time this season.

Xavier Bou Hernandez scored his first goal of the season for the Dragons to end a two-game scoreless drought for the team. The goal evened the score in the 32nd minute after the Retrievers had taken an early lead.

Hernandez's goal was nearly assisted by Afflerbach, who sent a goalie kick up the middle of the field. A UMBC player got a head on it, but could not control it as Hernandez was in position to grab possession. He took it up the right side and rocketed a shot to the far upper corner, a perfectly-placed ball to put the Dragons on the board.

UMBC had scored its first goal of the game in the 25th minute when Christian Morales scored off a rebound from an Afflerbach save. Morales had taken both shots at close range and was able to poke the second one through. Later in the game, the Retrievers scored off on of their 11 corners when Cormac Noel placed one where Jordan Dove could head it back behind Afflerbach, who was charging to his left towards Dove. That goal came in the 85th minute and ultimately proved to be the difference maker.

Overall, the Dragons were outshot by UMBC by a 20-6 margin, and managed just three corners to the Retrievers' 11.

In addition to Tuesday night's game serving as Senior Night, the contest was live streamed in virtual reality as part of a free public launch at the Franklin Institute. The event was scheduled to "showcase the most cutting-edge VR technology to illustrate the breadth of virtual reality applications." Drexel's game against UMBC was the only sporting event live-streamed at the event along with a brain surgery and a tour of a space shuttle.

Drexel will conclude its 2016 season on the road, where the Dragons will play two more Colonial Athletic Association matchups beginning Saturday evening when they visit William & Mary at 7:00 p.m. That will be followed by a trip to the College of Charleston on Nov. 1 to wrap up the season.