Aug. 22, 2007

Box Score

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Junior Graham Zusi scored two times and notched the game-winner in the 66th minute on a penalty kick as the No. 9 Maryland men's soccer team defeated the University of Montreal, 3-2, at Ludwig Field in an international friendly.

Zusi tallied the first Maryland goal which was assisted by sophomore Drew Yates. Freshman Billy Cortes scored the other goal for the Terrapins, an unassisted tally in the 57th minute.

Maryland, which has put up six goals in its two exhibition wins, will conclude its preseason slate on Friday, August 24 when it takes on VCU at 7:00 p.m. at Ludwig Field.

Much like the match against Fairleigh Dickinson last Saturday night, Maryland controlled a lot of the game, spending the majority of the time on attack and outshooting Montreal 20-6.

In the opening minutes, Zusi fired a shot from the left side aimed for the right of the goal. The shot was inches off as it struck the post and did not cause any further danger.

Zusi's second chance was more successful as Yates found some space in the middle of the field. A Montreal defender stepped in front of Yates to stop the run, but the sophomore dished to a wide open Zusi to his left who fired a blast from 22 yards out past the keeper for the first goal of the match at 14:21.

Montreal notched the equalizer a little over two minutes later when Boubacar Coulibaly sent a through ball into Ian-Vladi Dordevic. The Terp defender covering Dordevic slipped on the slick Ludwig surface and the striker went one-on-one with the keeper for the easy goal.

Maryland's constant attack gave the Terps three more scoring chances before the end of the half. After a Montreal foul, Zusi did not miss by much on a free kick opportunity with 22 minutes left. Late in the frame, junior Michael Marchiano fired a shot at a tough angle on the left side, but the Montreal keeper made a diving stop to thwart the attack. Finally, as time was expiring, junior A.J. Delagarza found sophomore Omar Gonzalez who connected with a streaking Marchiano on the left side. Marchiano sent a cross along the ground in front of goal but no one from the red and black was there to put it away.

In the second half, the Terps regained the lead in the 57th minute when Yates used his foot skills to gain some space on the left side. Yates dished to Zusi who sent a hard shot towards goal which was saved. The rebound found Cortes to the right who sent the ball into the back of the net.

Four minutes later, the Terps were again on attack as a Maryland shot was blocked by Montreal. The official halted play and called a handball, awarding Maryland a penalty kick which Zusi put away. That goal would prove to be the game-winner.

Montreal added its second goal in the 70th minute but was unable to use the final 20 minutes to get the equalizer.