UMBC junior midfielder Kadeem Dacres (Rosedale, N.Y.) and Pete Caringi III (Perry Hall, Md./Calvert Hall) scored goals in a six-minute span early in the second half and junior goalkeeper Phil Saunders (Perry Hall, Md./Perry Hall) preserved the shutout by stopping a penalty kick with seven minutes remaining as the host Retrievers blanked Loyola, 2-0, before 1,319 fans at Retriever Soccer Park.

UMBC improved to 3-2-2 on the season, while Loyola slipped to 3-3-1.

Both goals were assisted by senior forward Milo Kapor (Toronto, Ont./Emily Carr), who has seven helpers in seven games this season.

UMBC outshot Loyola, 20-9, including 12-2 in the first half when the game was scoreless. The Retrievers’ previous high shot total was 11 at Mount St. Mary’s.

“The biggest difference is that we concentrated on offense the last ten days,” head coach Pete Caringi said. “We have been emphasizing trying to score goals, trying to go forward and I thought today it all came together.”   

The Retrievers struck first just 1:59 into the second half, as Kapor received a pass from Dacres in the middle of the pitch and the senior co-captain returned the favor, leading Dacres down the left wing. The UMBC newcomer sprinted into the box and drilled a ground-hugging shot inside the far post from 12 yards out.

In the 53^rd minute, UMBC added an insurance goal, which was initiated by sophomore right back Spencer Williams (Germantown, Md./Watkins Mill). Williiams drove inside from near the right sideline and led Kapor down towards the corner. Caringi redirected Kapor’s cross from nine yards away and the shot beat Loyola netminder Thurman Van Riper to his right.

The goal was Caringi’s team-leading fourth of the season.

Loyola put the pressure on late in the game and got the penalty kick opportunity when UMBC was called for a handball in the box after a Greyhound corner kick with 6:59 remaining. Connor Thompson drilled his shot to Saunders’ right, but the goalkeeper deflected the attempt over the end line to preserve his third shutout of the season and tenth of his career.

Saunders (20-11-2) also earned his 20^th career victory.

UMBC returns to action on Saturday when they face George Washington University in Washington, D.C. Kick-off time is set for 3:00 p.m.