UMD vs. WF In a huge ACC game #4 Maryland will square off with #8 Wake Forest tonight in Winston-Salem. This is a match between to the two hottest and highest ranked teams in the ACC and this fixture will go a long way toward deciding the regular season title. The Terps are off to their best start since 1968 and are currently on a seven game winning streak. Fear the Turtle, GO TERPS!
This should be a good one. I hope somebody posts a good analysis for those of us who won't be there to see it!
According to Maryland's website, the Terps got their asses handed to them, losing to the Deacs 3-0. I have no details but I'm sure they'll be forthcoming quickly and hopefully a few BSers can give us a first hand report. After a nice winning streak, this result is certainly a reality check for Sasho's boys and it reaffirms those who have said that Wake is for real this year.
Wake is really off to a great start, but the question is, can they keep it up all season long. Are they peaking too early? If memory serves me, the Deacs have a way of faltering down the stretch, but maybe this is their year.
Well Sandon, that pretty much sums it up. It was like watching a professional team play a high school team, or Seton Hall play Virginia (sorry couldn't resist. ) Goals: Ryan Alexendar on a pretty slotted ball by Justin Moose in the 36th minute; Jeremiah White with 6 second left in the half on a PK; and Adam Hakes on an assist from James Riley at the 58th minute. The first 25 minutes were played pretty evenly and mostly in the midde of the field. Neither team created much in the way of quality scoring opportunities. At around that time Wake brought in their first round of subs, and they definitely went bigger. That was it. The rest of the half was all Wake. Maryland went brain-dead with six seconds remaining to give up the penalty in what wasn't even close to a scoring opportunity. At the half Sasho went ballistic on the referree. He should have gone ballistic on Seth Stammler instead. (And maybe he did in the locker room.) The second half started with Maryland actually possessing the ball and creating some good scoring oportunities. The attacking lasted about 10 minutes. Hesmer made two quality saves during this time to deny the Terps. Wake scored their third goal at the 58th minute, and the game was effectively over. I'd only seen Maryland against NC State so I had a hard time judging if they were different from the teams of the past. They aren't. This is another soft Maryland team. Note to Sasho: When you go out recruiting this year try to find someone who can tackle. Does Wake Forest move to #1 in the polls next week? Are they better than St John's? I can't tell you how I am looking forward to my trip next weekend to see St. John's and Rutgers take on UCLA.
Depth/talent? Congratulations to WF, they were certainly the better side on this night. Interestingly the much talked about depth and talent UMD was supposed to have actually seems trumped by WF. The match was pretty even when the respective starters were on the pitch but when the two team subed WF went to the higher level. This change was obvious to the observer and statistically it is even clearer. WF five subs had 7 of the teams 13 shots, putting 5 on goal and scoring all three goals. Meanwhile UMD six subs had zero's across the board. Although UMD was not at their best (I suspect WF had a lot to do with it) I thought the killing blow came on the dubious PK whistled with 6 second left in the half. Two goals is bit much to overcome on the road against a top 5 team. The other obvious problem for UMD is that they don't value the ball. They continuously only play forward with very low percentage passes and have very little creativity and change of pace in their play. WF is to be thanked for exposing these problems early enough in the season to allow UMD to change prior to when it really matters. Listening Sash? Lastly, very few teams (maybe none) go through a season without laying an egg, the real issue is what is learned and applied to future games. The Terps are a very talented group and who certainly will be heard from throughout the rest of the season and post season. GO TERPS!
I watched Wake a week ago play St Johns and they were VERY impressive. This team could definately make a run in the NCAAs and run the table in the ACC.