The Terrapins of Maryland and the Lobos from New Mexico are set to face off for the NCAA Division 1 soccer title after the No. 1 and No. 2 seeds each won their semifinal encounters on Friday. Maryland easily disposed of Southern Methodist University by a 4-1 score in the first match of the College Cup in Cary, N.C., while New Mexico ousted Clemson 2-1 in the nightcap.
Maryland, playing in its fourth consecutive College Cup, was the more comfortable team from the very beginning, continually pressuring the Mustangs from SMU in the opening half of the first semifinal. MLS Player Combine invitee Jason Garey had several good looks at the goal, including a free header from in the box just three minutes after the kickoff which sailed over the bar.
Midway through the half Garey had a great chance when he got on the end of a nifty through pass from Chris Lancos, who is also set to head to the combine in early January. Garey tried to pick out the far left corner with a low shot, but it just skipped wide.
The best chance for SMU in the first 45 minutes fell to yet another combine-bound player. Hawaiian Duke Hashimoto made a great cut to get past his defender and set himself up for a left-footed shot from the top of the box. But Maryland goalkeeper Chris Seitz did very well to dive to his right and keep the ball out of the net.
His counterpart at the other end of the field wasn't so lucky, as Maryland finally took the lead with less than two minutes to play before the break. David Glaudemans sent in a cross from the left flank and substitute forward Graham Zusi volleyed it into the lower right corner to put the Terps on top.
Maryland exploded into the second half, burying three goals in three minutes to all but guarantee a spot in the national championship game on Sunday. Garey amazingly scored twice in just 15 seconds, first poking home the ball from close range before moving in against the goalkeeper and calmly slotting the ball into the back of the net. A penalty kick by Stephen King just seconds later made the comeback seemingly impossible for SMU.
However, Paulo da Silva cut the lead back to three in the 55th minute. The Brazilian native scored his eighth goal of the season, thanks in no small part to a deflection that left Seitz hopeless and took the score to 4-1.
The Mustangs desperately tried gallop back into the match, but it wasn't meant to be and Maryland coasted the rest of the way into the championship game.
The second semifinal featured the Lobos of New Mexico taking on the Clemson Tigers. Clemson entered the match with an unblemished record in the NCAA Tournament, having won all of their previous games by shutout.
But the streak came to an end midway through the first half when New Mexico took the lead thanks to freshman Brandon Barklage. The play started with a combination between New Mexico's two MLS Player Combine participants. Midfielder Lance Watson launched a long throw-in, which striker Jeff Rowland flicked into the danger area. The Clemson defense inexplicably let the ball bounce on the edge of their own six-yard box and Barklage slid in at the back post to put New Mexico on top.
The lead didn't last long, though, as Jamaican forward Dane Richards put the Tigers back on level terms five minutes before the intermission. A cross from the right drew New Mexico goalkeeper Mike Graczyk off his line, where he collided with Clemson's Charlie Roberts. Roberts, Graczyk and the ball all went tumbling to the ground and Richards was right on the doorstep to sweep the ball into the back of the net from close range.
It was a physical and cagey affair after the break, both sides not wanting to fall behind with a spot in the national championship game Sunday against Maryland on the line. But that's exactly what happened to Clemson when New Zealand native Andrew Boyens restored New Mexico's lead. Hawaiian David Gualdarama provided the assist with a cross from the right flank, which Boyens rose to nod into far post, sending the Lobos back on top with just under a half-hour left to play.
Clemson desperately tried to push forward to even things up and a great save by their goalkeeper Phil Farfuggi with 12 minutes remaining kept the deficit at one. Watson was the player who provided the test, shooting on goal after receiving a lay-off from Rowland. Farfuggi did well to tip the ball over the crossbar and out of danger.
Clemson had a golden opportunity with less than five minutes to play with a free kick from just outside the top of the box. Captain and MLS Player Combine invitee Justin Moore stepped up to take the shot, but he fired it high and wide.
The Tigers had one last chance with a free kick from the right flank and they sent every one of their players, including their goalkeeper, into New Mexico's box. Defender Randy Albright almost saved Clemson's season when he got his head on the cross and sent it toward the net. However, it wasn't meant to be as the ball struck the underside of the crossbar and bounced down on the goal line. New Mexico cleared the ball and earned a spot in Sunday's final in the process.
The results of Friday's matches set up an intriguing final between the top two seeds in the tournament. A champion will be determined Sunday at 2 p.m. ET in a match that can be seen live on ESPN2. Fans can also listen live by logging on to MLSnet.com.
Jonathan Nierman is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
