Dundalk Senior Scores Big for UMBC

Sean Rothe doesn’t do much scoring for the UMBC men’s soccer team. That’s not his job. In fact, the Dundalk resident got only three goals and eight assists during his first 61 collegiate games.

But Rothe helped the UMBC offense when the Retrievers hosted Maryland on Sept. 13. The Terrapins, then-ranked No. 1 in the country in men's soccer, held a two-goal lead late in the second half before Rothe scored twice in 71 seconds to tie the game.

Maryland pulled out a 4-3 victory in double overtime, but the two-goal, one-assist performance meant a lot to Rothe.

The fifth-year senior missed all of 2010 due to a knee injury that required microfracture surgery. He was forced to stand and watch while UMBC won the America East championship and won its first-round NCAA tournament game at home in Catonsville.

In UMBC’s early-season game against the Terrapins, Maryland took a 3-1 lead and pushed the Retrievers’ backs against the wall. 

“We needed to do something and fast,” Rothe said. “That’s easily the biggest game I’ve ever played in.”

Rothe, who played high school soccer at Archbishop Curley, earned America East Co-Player of the Week honors after the Maryland game. He finished with the two goals and an assist on UMBC’s other goal, thanks to a great back-heel pass to teammate Pete Caringi III.

Rothe’s accomplishments that night are more impressive, considering he had been moved to right back on defense–from right midfield–because teammate Daniel Welsh was out. The Retrievers pushed everyone up when trailing by two in the final 10 minutes, and Rothe came through on offense despite playing defense.

His first goal was a blistering 27-yard shot into the upper right corner. He came back 71 seconds later to score the game-tying goal and force overtime.

“That was almost a sheer miracle for me,” Rothe said with a laugh. “But I’m thrilled that it did happen.”

Playing a big role in a big game meant a lot to Rothe after the 2010 season.

Rothe hurt his knee playing in a summer game going after a 50-50 ball. He wound up having microfracture surgery a month later, sidelining him for seven to eight months and wiping out 2010. And that hurt more watching UMBC's late-season conference title run.

“I felt helpless,” Rothe said. “It was tough. I couldn’t bear the fact that it was all out of my hands. I could cheer them, but as far as going out there and helping them out, my brothers that I came in with, it was definitely tough.”

Rothe worked hard to make his way back for 2011. He struggled with his confidence in the early days, but Rothe’s been playing better. He’s started much of the season and played in every game.

“I’m out to prove to everyone that my injuries aren’t going to affect my season this time and it’s something I’m going to play through,” Rothe said. “It hasn’t stopped me yet.”

Rothe said the injury made him a bit more cautious on the field. He’s got to pick his spots so as not to hurt the knee again.

The senior remains busy off the field, thanks to a double major in social work and sociology. He works at the High Road School in Dundalk, a school for kids getting their high school education while dealing with various disabilities.

Rothe is at High Road from 8 a.m. to noon Monday through Thursday, a schedule that lets him get over to UMBC in time for soccer. It's a sport he’s glad to be playing again, but one he is going to miss when his career ends in a few weeks.

“I love the game and I’ll always be playing it,” Rothe said. “It definitely has gone by too quick. It’s been a great experience for me. I’ve come across a lot of great people and teammates and life-long friends through soccer.”

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