Maryland v Clemson (R)

Maryland wins 4-1.

http://clemsontigers.ocsn.com/sports/m-soccer/recaps/102603aaa.html

The Tiggerrs (6-7-2) have three games left and likely have to win them all, and then make the finals of the ACC Tourney, if they are gonna make the NCAAs.

 

So you're saying there is a chance....................... (Lloyd Christmas)

 

maryland looked almost perfect in the first 30 minutes of the match. the first two goals were carbon copies and the third was a 40 yard bomb that went in the upper 90. clemson went down a man in the 44th minute when josh moore was given a red card. the match was very physical, and the rain was pouring. i think something like 8 or 9 cards given out. clemson battled in the second half ... especially being down a man. clemson's goal was pretty sweet, a half volley that banked in off the far post. ibrahim hit the post twice, the second leading to buete's goal. did anyone else brave the rain yesterday??

 

I braved it. Rough game. Clemson's defender just flat got beat for the first two goals, both off free kicks. I'd say the 3rd goal was from a minimum of 40 yds, it was a blast, but I still can't figure out how the keeper doesn't have a play on that ball.

Justin Moore was ejected. I thought it was b/c of the foul that he had committed, which would have been a tragic call, but heard later that the Maryland player got up and pushed him, so he took a jab at him. Clemson showed signs of life for 20-25 minutes in the 2nd half and actually had the better of the play with the man down. They were able to finally possess the ball some and create some chances.

I thought the referee (Kennedy) had a pretty rough outing.

 

With the exception of the first 15-20 minutes of the second half, that was one of the poorest Clemson Tiger performances that I have ever seen. Congrats to Maryland on their victory. I thought that the ref was pure crap. Clemson's red card ejection was warranted, because Moore took a swing, but how the ref could not give a yellow to the Maryland player involved is beyond me. He was tackled by Moore and retaliated with the shove. Beckham was sent off for less. I believe it was #4 Kenney Bertz of Maryland who was involved. If so, then he deserved to get tackled and popped for his cocky goal celebration at Riggs.

 

What miserable weather.

Nothing much to add except I think we need to give the keeper the benefit of the doubt on that third goal. I think it knuckled and I know I couldn't figure out where it would go. I thought it was going to hit the fence till it hit the back of the net.

Clemson tried to turn the game into a game of set pieces. Unfortunately, Maryland was good at them.

I have to say that I liked the referee. He was adamant that he was not going to put up with most slide tackles in those sloppy conditions.

To me, Clemson looks like they are missing a creative midfielder. How long till Ogunsola comes back??

 

You have a great memory. That was in 1998 at Ludwig Field when Duke was top ranked; Maryland was down two goals and came back to win; I also remember the weather: it was only about 95 degrees outside that day. That was the year Maryland started really slow and then marched to the Final Four.

Hollenbach was a freshman on that team along with Taylor Twellman, Dan Califf, and Nick Downing, probably the best recruiting class in program history. Hollenbach didn't hear the end of that shot in the four years he was at Maryland because everybody wanted him to try it again. I can't even remember seeing many shots at the professional level that were that hard from that distance.

Damn, I feel like an old fart reminiscing about this stuff, but we have had some great memories at Ludwig. Ah the soccer life: what could be better!? Whether or not you win titles, there is always The Game.

 

Hey Mike,

What's up with the injuries to Erwin Diaz and, more importantly, Abe Thompson? When can we expect them back?

The Clemson explosion aside, the Terps are gonna need their offense once the games start to be more crucial.

 

im pretty sure that ogunsola is done for the season. i think that the coaches are going to try to get him a reshirt for this season. i believe that he had a pretty serious hamstring injury, not the knee, which was what was keeping him out so long.

 

Hey Sandon

Erwin and Abe are listed as questionable for Friday vs. Virginia. Erwin missed the first part of the season because of a hamstring and then rolled an ankle against UConn; Abe has a foot injury that is now better but not certain for Friday. Someone in the Athletic Dept. told me that Abe really wants that game against Virginia, his finale as a senior in the ACC, but it is real iffy.

Yep, the Terps are going to need all guns for the stretch run. Granted, Jason Garey (5 goals), Nino Marcantonio, and Dom Mediate are all playing well, up front and Sumed Ibrahim is now the leading scorer with 6 goals, but these days ya gotta have the depth or suffer accordingly.

 

Re: Hey Sandon

So I guess that means Abe is definitely going to skip his final year of eligibility? I mean, I figured odds were good that he would anyway, but you can always hold out hope.

 

Re: Re: Hey Sandon

No, it means somebody thinks he is going and I should have clarified that when I posted yesterday. I have heard people saying that Abe is going pro from the beginning of his freshman year. I would be surprised if he is. They did the same thing with Taylor Twellman for two years until they were finally right. Could Abe do it? Sure, but he has been so banged up at various times in his career, my take is that he needs a good, healthy senior year.

Besides, the MLS hasn't added any teams since they nuked the two Florida franchises. I haven't really been following that discussion but I don't see any more job creation in the MLS anytime soon. Unless Abe is thinking Europe -- and he might be too old for that already -- I think he needs to wait another year, but it is his decision.