July 20, 2004

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Continuing in the summer-long series "Top Terp Moments," the Maryland men's soccer team erased an early 2-0 deficit and rallied past Saint Louis to advance to the Final Four for the second consecutive season on Dec. 7, 2003. Nino Marcantonio sparked the Terrapin comeback with three assists off the bench.

With the win over the Billikens, the Terps earned their 20th win of the season, tying the school record set in 2002. Maryland would fall short of its bid for a national title with a 1-0 loss to St. John's in the national semifinals a week later.

Below is a complete recap of the memorable game against Saint Louis, and also be sure to check out the official box score and reactions from players and coaches from that game.

December 7, 2003
Maryland 4, Saint Louis 2
College Park, Md. - After falling behind early 2-0, the Maryland Terrapins scored four goals in 11 minutes for a 4-2 win over Saint Louis in the NCAA Quarterfinals Sunday afternoon at Ludwig Field.

The Billikens got on the board on a tremendous score by Alex Matteson. Matteson was running toward the goal when the ball bounced behind him, but Matteson was able to flick his heel back and kicked the ball forward for the score at 6:46.

The Terps (20-2-1)had a good chance to knot the score at 1-1, Martin Hutton saved A.J. Herrera's penalty kick in the 20th minute after a hand ball was called on Cooper McKee in the box. Saint Louis pushed its lead to 2-0 in the 32nd minute mark after Kevin Wickart put in a rebound off a corner kick by Will John.

Despite trailing 2-0, Maryland was still creating solid offensive chances. The two Saint Louis goals came on just four shots.

Needing a score to get back into the game before the half ended, the Terps went to Nino Marcantonio off the bench. Marcantonio countered the second Billiken goal just four and a half minutes later after his corner kick found the head of Clarence Goodson, who tallied his third goal of the season.

The Terps were able to register another score before the half ended and tied the score at 2-2, again off a Marcantonio corner kick. This time, Goodson's header attempt was blocked by the Billikens, but the rebound found Abe Thompson who finished the ball into the lower right corner.

Maryland started the second half with as much offensive pressure as it ended the first with. It took the Terps just 58 seconds into the second frame to take the lead for good, and it again came off a set play, but this time it started with a corner kick from A.J. Herrera. Herrera's corner sailed high into the air, and Kenney Bertz was able to finish with a header for what would prove to be the game-winner. The goal was Bertz's third of the year, and all of them have come off set plays from Herrera.

The Terps tacked on an insurance goal less than two minute later when Jason Garey finished a through ball sent by Seth Stammler. Garey, from 17 yards out, fired the ball past Hutton into the lower right corner for the game's final score. Marcantonio was also credited for his third assist of the game on that goal.

The four Maryland goals were scored just 11:09 apart.

The Terrapins were able to control the rest of the game and did not provide the Billikens with any legitimate offensive opportunities and no shots on goal in the second half. For the game, the Terps outshot Saint Louis by an overwhelming 26-9 margin and had a 6-2 advantage in corner kicks. Maryland also forced Billiken keeper Hutton to make eight saves for the game.

Maryland will make its eighth appearance in the national semifinals, and its second in as many seasons. The Terrapins were eliminated by UCLA last season, 2-1. Maryland has not faced St. John's, Santa Clara or Indiana yet this season.

                           1     2     F
#7 Saint Louis (15-4-3)    2     0     2
#2 Maryland (20-2-1)       2     2     4
Scoring: SLU- 6:46 Matteson (DiRaimondo, John), SLU- 32:18 Wichart (John);
UM- 36:38 Goodson (Marcantonio); UM- 42:29 Thompson (Marcantonio, Goodson);
UM- Bertz 45:58 (Herrera); UM- Garey 47:47 (Stammler, Marcantonio
Shots: MD-16+10=26; SLU-4+5=9
Corners: MD-3+3=6; SLU-1+1=2
Saves:  MD-2+0=2; SLU-6+2=8
Fouls: MD-1+4=5; SLU-11+7=18
Goalkeeping:  MD-Palmer (2GA, 2SV, 90:00); SLU- Hutton (4 GA, 8 SV, 90:00)