:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/25100475/145370583.0.jpg)
Maryland soccer has a star, and they know how to use him.
Patrick Mullins scored both of Maryland's goals in an outstanding individual effort, and was helped out with some perfect passes along the way from a game midfield unit.
Mullins scored the opening goal about ten minutes into the game, receiving a phenomenal searching ball from Mikias Eticha over the middle, beating two men and flicking the ball on a one-timer over the head of the goalkeeper. It was a sensational play all-around for the senior's 17th goal of the year and 45th of this career.
The Terrapin defense did a very good job preventing the Cavaliers from getting good opportunities from inside the box, playing stout defense and keeping possession of the ball.
Video highlights from the match
Relive Mullins' dominating performance
Mullins had an opportunity at the beginning of the second half, taking a great ball from Schillo Tshuma, cutting between two defenders in the box and lofting the ball over the net. On the counter, Virginia's Darius Madison nearly tied it up, getting the ball past goalie Zack Steffen on a shot, but it bounced right back to the gracious goalie's hands.
Madison made another great chance for himself later in the half, somehow getting past two defenders in the corner before juking out another and sending the shot off the post again.
With just over 17 minutes to play, Tsubasa Endoh forced a free-kick opportunity, but Patrick Mullins's curving effort was caught by the Virginia goalie. Just a few minutes later, Endoh found Mullins on an incredible lofted center ball, with striker bringing it down with his foot and powering it home for the 2-0 lead.
The Terps gave up a penalty immediately after, and Todd Wharton nailed it home to bring the Cavaliers back within one. With under three minutes left, Steffen made a diving save on the outside lower left corner on a hard one-timer from Brian James, saving the Terrapin lead with an exceptional effort.