(Photo Courtesy of Vermont Athletics)

On Thursday night the UMBC Retrievers put together their best defensive performance of the season in what was a defensive battle as they defeated Binghamton 7-6 to advance to the America East semifinals.

Jayson Tingue made his first career start for the Retrievers and made nine saves in the victory to anchor the defensive effort.

UMBC fell behind 2-1 at the end of the first quarter and 3-1 early in the second frame. However, the Retrievers answered with a four-goal run that lasted through the 10:37 mark of the third quarter to pull ahead 5-3.

Binghamton cut the UMBC lead to one three times in the second half, but they were never able to tie it up or retake the lead.

Taylor Bohanon and Brian Tregoning each had two goals for UMBC.

Kevin Winkhoff had two goals for Binghamton. Teddy Dolan made nine saves.

Vermont Blows Past UAlbany

The Vermont Catamounts stepped on the gas and never took their foot off on Thursday night as they defeated UAlbany 17-7 to make it back to the America East title game for the fourth consecutive season.

Vermont jumped ahead 6-1 in the first quarter and never looked back. UAlbany twice cut the lead to five in the second quarter, but they never got any close than that as the Catamounts took a 9-3 lead into half and continued to build upon it. Vermont outscored the Danes 8-4 in the final two frames to close out the game.

Thomas McConvey led the Catamounts with seven goals and one assists for eight points. Brock Haley had six points off three goals and three assists. Ryan Cornell made 12 saves in cage.

Graydon Hogg led UAlbany with a hat trick.

Vermont and UMBC will meet in the America East title game on Saturday at noon on ESPNU.