2009 MACHA Playoff Champions (Click for Team Picture)
UMBC Defeats Wagner 7 - 4 to Win 2009 MACHA Playoffs!
To have a chance to raise the MACHA Playoff Trophy, the UMBC Retrievers would need to get past two teams that had gotten the better of them during their last regular season games. But this is not the same UMBC team of a few months, or even a few weeks ago - but one that has taken on new determination, intensity and teamwork.
Riding the monemtum of the Crab Pot Victory into the MACHA Playoffs, the Dawgs faced arch rival Temple in the Semi-Finals. As expected, the game was close with UMBC scoring in the 1st and Temple getting a goal in the 2d. The tie did not last long as UMBC took control in the 3d period with 3 goals. A smothering defense and solid goaltending helped to seal the victory and send the Dawgs into their 2d Championship in 2 weeks.
Wagner came into the MACHA Playoffs in 1st Place in the MACHA, ranked 1st in the Southeast Region and having won 4 of the last 5 MACHA Playoffs. Could the Retrievers match the speed and experience of the Seahawks? UMBC would get on the scoreboard first but Wagner would answer quickly for a 1 - 1 tie after the first 20 minutes. The teams continued to battle back and forth in the 2d period with UMBC taking advantage of the Power Play to grab a 3 - 2 lead at the end of Period 2. 20 minutes - could the Dawgs put together another superb 3d Period as they had at Navy to take the Crab Pot? Fueled by weeks of workouts, early morning practices, and a common goal - the Retrievers would not be satisfied with 2d Place. They poured in 3 unanswered goals to jump out to a 6 - 2 lead. 10 minutes to go! Forechecking, relentless 'D', hard work in clearing the puck, and excellent netminding combined to give UMBC a hard fought 7 - 4 victory which earned them their first ever MACHA Playoff Championship.