College Notebook: Bulls' winning touch shines with Retrievers

Sophomore midfielder Andrew Bulls is having an absolutely fabulous season for the UMBC men's soccer team. The Millersville resident leads the Retrievers in scoring with 15 goals and 10 assists - displaying a dual ability to distribute the ball or put it in the back of the net.

Bulls has scored eight game-winning goals for UMBC, which has a 12-3 record. The McDonogh High graduate has scored his 15 goals on just 38 shots, a superb percentage.

"Andrew is a finisher, that's for sure. When he has gotten opportunities, he has made the best of them," 19th-year UMBC head coach Pete Caringi said. "Andrew has scored more direct kick goals than I've ever seen. He has a real knack for scoring on those situations. He strikes the ball with a lot of power and puts a lot of power on the shot."

Bulls, an adidas All-American as a senior at McDonogh, was somewhat of a recruiting coup for UMBC. Older brother Daniel Bulls played for the Retrievers, serving as captain of last season's team, so Andrew felt comfortable with Caringi and the program.

"I think Andrew has the potential to play soccer beyond college. He is developing at a very quick pace and can still get a lot better," Caringi said.

Bulls was named America East Player of the Week in mid September after scoring two goals in three straight games. He was named Most Valuable Player of the adidas Kick-Off Classic.

***

Kyle Quigley, another Millersville resident, is enjoying a solid season as the starting goalkeeper for the La Salle University men's soccer squad. The Severna Park High graduate, has started all 12 games and made 49 saves on 65 shots - a superb .754 percentage.

Quigley was a three-year starter at Severna Park, earning All-County honors as a junior. However, he suffered a severe knee injury that scared away the college recruiters despite a strong resume that included a four-year stint with the Maryland Olympic Development Program and starting for a top club team in the Freestate Dragons.

Taylor Young, Quigley's best friend at Severna Park, was recruited by La Salle and told head coach Pat Farrell about the talented keeper. Farrell gave Quigley a shot and is no doubt glad he did.

"Kyle is very disciplined and focused when he's trying to achieve something. He perseveres, which is a great trait," Farrell said.

Quigley has needed that trait since he's suffered three more major injuries since arriving at La Salle.

***

Sophomore midfielder Chris Saul scored the game-winning goal for Longwood College in a 3-2 upset of regionally-ranked UMBC on Oct. 17. The Chesapeake High graduate has played in 14 games with 10 starts.

***

Sophomore forward Josh Danza has scored a goal and dished off an assist for Stevenson men's soccer squad. The Archbishop Spalding graduate and Pasadena resident scored the goal against Hood.

***

Senior defender Max Smidinger is a key member of the Davis & Elkins men's soccer squad, which is ranked 12th in Division II. The Arundel High graduate has started every game for the Senators, who have an 11-4 record in their first season under the direction of former Navy men's soccer coach Greg Myers.

After serving 28 seasons in Annapolis, Myers accepted the position of athletic director at Davis & Elkins, which he led to NAIA national championships in 1968 and 1970. Myers took the reins after previous head coach Mark Stollsteimer resigned to take the same position at Millikan University.

***

Stevenson field hockey goalie Kara Zimmerman turned in a phenomenal performance in a 5-0 loss to second-ranked Salisbury on Tuesday. The junior out of Arundel High practically stood on her head in making 20 saves to keep the game from getting out of hand.

Earlier this year, Zimmerman made 28 saves in a 7-0 loss to seventh-ranked Lebanon Valley. The Odenton resident now has 399 career saves, surpassing the previous school record of 370 set by Kim Forbes (1999).

Zimmerman has started all 16 games for Stevenson this season and has 151 saves and 37 goals allowed. That is a stellar .803 save percentage.

Meanwhile, freshman Kaitlyn May has scored two goals for Stevenson. The Spalding product and Arnold resident scored her first career goal in a 4-1 loss to Randolph-Macon.

***

Freshman outside hitter Avery Gabbard leads the Stevenson volleyball team with 282 kills. The Broadneck High graduate had 22 kills in back-to-back wins over Lancaster Bible and New Jersey City last Saturday. She also has 34 service aces and 31 blocks.

***

Severna Park High graduate Terrence Boone has earned a spot on the nationally-ranked Tennessee track and field team. The 6-foot-1, 163-pound freshman is primarily running the 400-meter dash.

***

College Notebook is a regular feature of Capital-Gazette Newspapers designed to highlight the accomplishments of Anne Arundel County products involved with intercollegiate athletics. Items for this column can be faxed (410-280-5953) or e-mailed (bwagner@capitalgazette.com)