Terps win 1-0 on a Jason Garey goal (in the 61st minute, I believe). Akron cleared two balls off the line in the 2nd half before Garey's goal. Not the greatest performance by the Terps - they were missing two of their top offensive threats in Dominic Mediate and Abe Thompson - but they grinded out the win. The first half was even, and one could make the case that Akron was the better team. But Maryland dominated the 2nd half and deserved the result. Next match (which will decide who goes to the Final Four in Columbus) is in Colleg Park on Saturday at 1:00 against the winner between St. Louis and the University of Washington.
plus..... Erwin Diaz was out with the flu, making it three attacking players for Maryland that were unavailable and of course, Mediate is done for the year. Thompson spent a lot of time warming up and could have been used, but Cirovski didn't want to play him unless absolutely necessary. Terps outshot Zips 16-4 with the Zips limited to 1 shot in the 2nd half. Zips are a really good defensive squad, very well organized in the back. A good game overall, if not the most exciting, but there was spirited play. Zips were aggressive, committing 18 fouls with three yellow cards, but Terps were not bothered. Good crowd of 2,010 considering it is over a holiday weekend and students just coming back from home.
Watching the game, there was never really much doubt Maryland would win and they were obviously the better side and were dictating play. But, Maryland's inability to convert chances is maddening. Thank goodness for Jason Garey, who is basically carrying the Terps right now offensively. Maryland's defense is so solid but eventually a team is going to poke one past them and the Terps are going to have to have an answer and I'm not sure the offense is going to be able to get it. Next week is Saint Louis and their high-powered attack led by Young Guns Vedad Ibisevic and Will John. The Bills will test the Terps D - I'm looking forward to seeing Ibisevic-Goodson going at it - and this may be the game wear Maryland needs to score a couple or else they'll be watching the Final Four on TV. Thompson has to start and Diaz needs to play. They need offense. And, while SLU has a very good GK, their defense has been shakey this season so it's not like Maryland shouldn't be able to create chances. It's just a question of whether they can finish them. Suffice to say, I have my doubts.