For the second straight game, a Brooke Sheppard goal lifted the American University women's soccer team to a 1-0 triumph, as the Eagles defeated UMBC Sunday afternoon at Reeves Field.

Sheppard's heroics Sunday came a bit earlier than her double overtime game-winner on Friday against Radford in the 102nd minute. This time in the 20th minute of the match, Sheppard floated a shot from about 30 yards out for the top-left corner of the net. UMBC goalkeeper Lauren Kadet got a hand on the shot, but was unable to make the save as the ball trickled over the goal line for the match's lone score.

"We ask her to do anything, play as a holding mid or play as an attacking mid, score goals, and she does everything that's asked of her," remarked Head Coach Dave Bucciero. "She gives every ounce of energy every time she steps on the field, including with the game-winner today."

The defensive unit for American (2-8), led by Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year Friederike Engel, was tremendous in helping goalkeeper Lindsey Farthing pitch the shutout. Nearly every opportunity UMBC (1-6-1) penetrated inside the AU defensive zone, Engel and others were there to make the play.

"Frei has been great all year. There's a reason she's why she is the Patriot League Preseason Defensive Player of the Year. She's been absolutely the rock back there," Bucciero commented. "She's a great technical player when the ball is at her feet, and she has the ability to score. We will go as far as she takes us, and she's the backbone of our defense."

UMBC's best scoring opportunity came in the 61st minute when Nicole Clark fired a rocket from 25 yards out that appeared to be destined to land just under the crossbar. But Farthing was able to get a hand on the shot, deflecting as it struck the crossbar. The AU defense was able to clear the zone and hold the Retrievers off the scoreboard.

"I think we're figuring out how to win games that are close, which is the difference between this and the George Washington and George Mason games. That will be important for us going into Patriot League play," added Bucciero.

While AU was only able to muster one goal, the Eagles controlled much of the action, which led to a 27-13 shot advantage over UMBC. AU's 27 shots marked a season-high, and were the most since last year's 41-shot outburst in a 3-0 win over Delaware State.

The Eagles also held a 6-2 advantage in corner kick opportunities. Each team registered four shots on goal.

Farthing was solid in net for the Eagles, recording four saves in total to pick up her first-career shutout. Coupled with Arianna Efstathiou's shutout on Friday against Radford and part of the previous match Tuesday against George Washington, the Eagles are currently working on a 218:19 stretch of shutout soccer.

The Eagles will look to run their winning streak to three when they host Vermont on Friday, September 24. Match time from Reeves Field is scheduled for 4 p.m., and it can be watched live on Eagles Vision TV, part of AUeagles.com.

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