Terps Soccer Beats UNC, Wins Nat'l Championship

by Ben Broman on Dec 14, 2008 4:22 PM EST

There is some consistent Terp success in at least one sport: men's soccer.

Graham Zusi scored from 18 yards midway through the second half to lift Maryland to its second NCAA men's soccer championship in four years, a 1-0 victory over ACC rival North Carolina at Pizza Hut Park in Frisco, Tex., today.

The goal capped a spectacular weekend for Zusi, a senior midfielder who beat St. John's in the semifinals with a 26-yard free kick late in overtime. In the 68th minute of the final, Jeremy Hall's shot inside the penalty area was blocked by a defender and deflected into Zusi's path for a powerful one-timer into the lower left corner.

Great to see Terps winning, in any sport. The Maryland men's soccer program is one of the most dominant programs at any college in any sport. Sasho Cirovski has this team as one of the best every single year, and picks up 5* recruits like its nothing. I could take this time to complain about the lack of success from the football and basketball programs, or attack Debbie Yow's "27 Sports" strategy, but I won't. This team deserves all the praise they get. Wonderful job by Sasho and all the players, especially Zusi, who had a great few games.

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Comments

what about women’s field hockey? or are you one of those who don;tgive the feamle athletes their due?

by fightingterp on Dec 15, 2008 12:05 PM EST reply actions

Actually, we reported on the field hockey team reaching the Final 4, but we never posted that they actually won the natty, I believe. This was an editorial mistake, but there was quite a bit on our plates, as basketball had just begun and that was the week Maryland played FSU. Trust me, I give female athletes as much respect as male – the women’s bball national championship was an incredible game, and loved every second of it. It’s not like I ignored it.

by Ben Broman on Dec 15, 2008 6:13 PM EST up reply actions