BALTIMORE, Md. — William & Mary men's soccer scored twice in a span of 2:22 in the second half to rally past UMBC, 2-1, on Saturday night at Retriever Soccer Park, securing the Tribe's first road victory in nearly two years.
W&M trailed 1-0 at halftime before freshman Aidan Gatchell pulled the Tribe level with his second goal of the season in the 66th minute. Senior Gabe Ruitenberg followed by converting a penalty kick at the 67:42 mark to complete the comeback.
The victory improved William & Mary to 3-3-1 overall and marked its first win away from Williamsburg since a 2-0 victory at Stony Brook on Nov. 2, 2024.
Damen Burney picked up his first assist of the season on Gatchell's equalizer, while Ruitenberg's goal was his second of the year. Gatchell now has two goals and three assists for seven points this season.
Diego Garciarena made five saves in goal for the Tribe, including a penalty-kick stop late in the opening half. W&M and UMBC finished even with 16 shots apiece, while the Tribe held a 9-6 advantage in shots on goal. The Retrievers held a 6-5 edge in corner kicks.
First Half
William & Mary generated the first shot on goal of the night in the seventh minute when Landon Cartwright tested UMBC goalkeeper Joseph Pollard, who made the save.
The Retrievers began to generate chances as the half progressed, but Garciarena helped keep the match scoreless. Gatchell put an attempt on frame in the 34th minute before Thor Sigurjonsson forced another Pollard save in the 42nd.
UMBC was awarded a penalty kick in the 44th minute, but Garciarena denied Jonas Nistad to keep the Retrievers off the board.
UMBC eventually broke through with just three seconds remaining in the half. After Garciarena stopped Nistad's initial attempt, Logan Ehart scored off an assist from Adamo Pantaleo at the 44:57 mark to give the Retrievers a 1-0 advantage heading into the break.
Second Half
The Tribe responded with an aggressive second half, generating 12 shots over the final 45 minutes after recording four in the opening period.
Cartwright forced Pollard into a save in the 52nd minute before Ruitenberg put another attempt on frame in the 59th.
W&M found the equalizer at the 65:20 mark. Burney set up Gatchell, and the freshman found the back of the net for his second goal of the season to even the match at 1-1. The assist was Burney's first of the year.
Just 2:22 later, the Tribe completed the comeback.
W&M earned a penalty kick, and Ruitenberg converted at 67:42 to put the Green and Gold in front, 2-1. The goal was Ruitenberg's second of the season and gave the Tribe its first lead of the night.
William & Mary continued to create opportunities after taking the lead. Ruitenberg forced another Pollard save in the 74th minute, while Evan Rabush put an attempt on frame in the 85th.
Garciarena and the Tribe defense closed out the victory over the final minutes. The senior made his fifth save of the night in the 89th minute, turning away Pantaleo to preserve the one-goal advantage and secure W&M's first road win since 2024.
Up Next
William & Mary remains on the road Tuesday, Sept. 22, traveling to Norfolk, Va., to face No. 13 Old Dominion. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m.
The Tribe returns home Saturday, Sept. 26, hosting Campbell in CAA action at Martin Family Stadium at Albert-Daly Field. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. as W&M celebrates Senior Day and GKC Day.
