Matt Latham Scores Six In 12-7 Victory Over Albany As Men’s Lacrosse Wins Second Straight Game- Live Blog

Dang it I don’t have a picture of Matt Latham who scored a career high six goals, but Kyle Wimer did extend his scoring streak to 29 straight games with two goals and two assists.

Matt Latham scored a career high six goals against Albany as the team won their second straight game, downing their America East Conference Rival, 12-7.

The team finally played up their ability as their lite up the scoreboard for nine goals in the first half.

Kyle Wimer scored two goals and two assists while Adam Cohen recorded his third win as he saved nine shots.

Preview:

Probable Starters:

UMBC (2-7):
A- Matt Latham (15 goals, 0 assists, 12 GB)
A- Rob Grimm (9 goals, 6 assists, 12 GB)
A- Chris Jones (2 goals, 0 assists, 8 GB)
M- Jamie Kimbles (10 goals, 7 assists, 9 GB)
M- Kyle Wimer (10 goals, 16 assists, 16 GB)
M- Nick Doub (3 goals, 1 assist, 1 GB)
LSM- Michael Camardo (1 goal, 1 assist, 33 GB, 26 CT)
D- Tim Shaeffer (8 GB, 0 CT)
D- Matt Kresse (10 GB, 4 CT)
D- Aaron Verardi (1 GB, 2 CT)
GK- Adam Cohen (30 saves, 38 GA, 44.1 save%)
FO- J.D. Harkey (73-71, 50.7 FO%, 20 GB)

Key Reserves:
A- Shane Ryznar (9 goals, 1 assist, 7 GB)
A- Joe Lustgarden (0 goals, 2 assists, 0 GB)
M- Bobby Stockton (12 goals, 3 assists, 6 GB)
M- Maxx Davis (1 goal, 4 assists, 27 GB, 11 CT)
M- Scott Hopmann (2 goals, 1 assist, 1 GB)
SSM- Jordan Peirce (19 GB, 5 CT)
D- Lance Ophof (8 GB, 5 CT)
D- Brian Schneider (1 GB, 0 CT)

Key Wins: @ Rutgers (6-5), @ Binghamton (12-6)
Key Losses: vs. North Carolina (12-7, vs. Stony Brook (14-11)

Albany (3-8):
A- Dave Brock (23 goals, 4 assists, 23 GB)
A- Brian Caufield (10 goals, 22 assists, 17 GB)
A- Nate Sullivan (3 goals, 0 assists, 1 GB)
M- Matt MacKenzie (1 goal, 2 assists, 38 GB)
M- Kyle Crotty (0 goals, 1 assist, 29 GB)
D- Mark Kelly (27 GB, 17 CT)
D- Scott Raffensperger (19 GB, 15 CT)
D- Brendan Gleason (16 GB, 20 CT)
D- Mike Banks (14 GB, 10 CT)
John Carroll (138 saves, 128 GA, 51.9 save%)
FO- Matt Mackenzie (95-128, 42.6 save%, 38 GB)

Key Reserves:
A- Kyle Brunk (9 goals, 0 assists, 8 GB)
A- Matt Johnson (5 goals, 4 assists, 7 GB)
M- Jack Reynolds (5 goals, 2 assists, 4 GB)
M- Rocky Bonitatibus (4 goals, 1 assist, 5 GB)
M- Mark Cometti (2 goals, 3 assists, 4 GB)
M- Dwyane Stewart (1 goal, 2 assists, 3 GB)
D- Anthony Ostrander (20 GB, 3 CT)
D- Brendan Gleason (16 GB, 20 CT)

Key Wins: @ Hartford (11-10), vs. Vermont (9-4)
Key Losses: @ Massachusetts (11-6), @ Ohio State (11-6)

Oh how far we have come in America East Lacrosse. The last three years this was a preview for the conference championship game but this year these two teams are just trying to get into the tournament.

Both teams have had down seasons but for difference reasons. UMBC’s 2 win season has been because of youth and rebuilding, Albany’s however has been because of injuries to key players that have hindered the team’s offense.

For what ever reason, these two teams have really struggled to get things going this year. Neither have gotten a roll on offense, but both have a conference victory under their belt.

This game truly has the potential to be a big game in the America East Conference standings. With Stony Brook looking like they will win the regular season championship, the winner of this one will likely host a semi-final game as the number two seed while the loser will likely have to travel in the tournament, or possibly be on the outside looking in.

Check back for a live blog with starters coming at 6:45.

Pregame:

Starters:

UMBC
A- Rob Grimm
A- Chris Jones
A- Matt Latham
M- Jamie Kimbles
M- Kyle Wimer
M- Nick Doub
D- Tim Shaeffer
D- Aaron Verardi
D- Matt Kresse
GK- Adam Cohen

Albany:
A- Dave Brock
A- Mike Johnson
M- Matt Mackenzie
M- Derek Kreuzer
M- Kyle Crotty
D- Mark kelly
D- Scott Raffensperger
D- Brendan Gleason
D- Mike Banks
GK- John Carroll

No surprised on the UMBC side of things. But just a quick note, pre-season All-American defender Bobby Atwell has left the team for personal reasons.

As for Albany, their big star Brian Caufield suffered a “very serious injury” recently and will not be available. In his honor the team has hung his jersey on the field house window behind their bench.

First Quarter:

10:46- UMBC goal Matt Latham, assisted by Rob Grimm. Latham was right in front of the goal when he took a pass from Grimm and hit a high shot right over the Albany goalie. 1-0 UMBC

9:29- Albany goal Luke Cometti- unassisted. Cometti made a quick dodge right past a UMBC defender and went high to low for the goal. 1-1

8:04- UMBC goal Rob Grimm, assisted by Michael Camardo. Camardo stole a rushed Albany pass and ran up the field with a numbers advantage. He got the ball up to Grimm right in front of the goal for the score. 2-1 UMBC

6:18- UMBC goal Kyle Wimer, unassisted. Kyle Wimer made a shot while falling down to record a score in his 29th straight game, a nation leading score. 3-1 UMBC

1:23- Albany goal Mark Cometti- unassisted. M. Cometti ran right around the goal to get the open shot on the left side of the goal. 3-2 UMBC

Second Quarter:

12:33- UMBC goal Chris Jones assisted by Kyle Wimer. Straight pass and shot. 4-2 UMBC

12:25- UMBC goal J.D. Harkey- unassisted. Harkey caught the Great Dance defense sleeping as right after the face-off he took the ball up the first for an unopposed shot. It was his first career goal. 5-2 UMBC

8:07- UMBC goal Matt Latham assisted by Kyle Wimer. A series of three quick passed got the ball to Latham for the wide open shot, which he hit in the bottom left corner of the net for his second goal of the game. 6-2 UMBC

6:21- UMBC goal Kyle Wimer- unassisted. Kyle Wimer drove up the field past three defenders for his second goal of the game. He currently has a four point game. 7-2 UMBC

4:38- Albany goal Dave Brock assisted by Mike Johnson. Albany finally snapped a four goal run for their first goal of the second quarter. 7-3 UMBC

1:02- UMBC goal Matt Latham assisted by Nick Doub. Matt Latham has a hat trick after getting a cross for the open shot. 8-3 UMBC

0:51- UMBC goal Max Davis- unassisted, once again UMBC caught Albany out of position for a goal. Davis came right up after a face-off win and got his second goal of the season. 9-3 UMBC

0:07- Albany goal Rocky Bonitatibus, assisted by Dwayne Stewart. Albany got the last goal of the half to get it within five. 9-4 UMBC

Halftime: UMBC is finally showing their ability with a very solid first half. Kyle Wimer and Matt Latham are doing what they should do as seniors and that is why they have a five goal lead.

Third Quarter:

13:53- UMBC goal Matt Latham- unassisted. Matt Latham was in the right place at the right time as he scooped and scored off a post (shot by Jamie Kimbles) for the goal. 10-4 UMBC

13:47- Albany goal Dave Brock, assisted Matt Mackenzie. This time UMBC was on the opposite side of falling asleep after a goal as Albany came up right away for the quick score. 10-5 UMBC

10:36- UMBC goal Matt Latham, assisted by Rob Grimm. Matt Latham now has five goals, tying a career high and does not look like he is going to slow down any time soon. 11-5 UMBC

3:05- Albany goal Dave Brock, unassisted. UMBC had too many men on the field and had to give up the ball. They were almost caught for the foul again but while the team was shifting personnel Brock was able to get past the defense for the goal. 11-6 UMBC

Fourth Quarter:

9:25- Albany goal Dave Brock- unassisted. With nobody in front of the goal Brock too a pass on the outside and rushed right in from the left side for the one-on-one shot with the goalie. 11-7 UMBC

4:50- UMBC goal Matt Latham, assisted by Rob Grimm. Matt Latham scored his sixth goal of the game, giving him a new career high. 12-7 UMBC

Final Score: UMBC 12, Albany 7