Sept. 10, 2010

CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. - Atlantic Coast Conference action begins for the ninth-ranked Maryland men's soccer team Friday when it faces No. 5 Boston College at the BC Soccer Complex. The match is slated for 7 p.m. Follow the action live as the men's soccer blog hits the road.

7:06 p.m.
Maryland is in its red and black kits while Boston College is in all white. The Terps starting XI is exactly the same as last week - MacMath in goal, Kemp, White, Young, Lee on the backline, Cortes, Forbess, Kassel, Rodkey are mids and Herrick and Townsend up-top. It was a very quiet warm-up, with absolutely no music due to the proximity of a few homes near the field. The Terps will also have a change in surface as BC Soccer Complex is an artificial turf facility.

7:07 p.m.
It is official, junior defender Alex Lee can't catch a break. Lee once again left the match bleeding, this time it appeared from an apparent elbow to his nose. London Woodberry has subbed in and the Terps have thwarted off two Eagle runs. One of many reasons head coach Sasho Cirovski gushes about his depth.

7:14 p.m.
Lee continues to receive treatment on the sideline as the Terps continue to press up offensively. Rodkey and Townsend have notched the only two shots in the match thus far.

7:16 p.m.
MacMath just registered his first save of the match and it was a big one. Colin Murphy had a right-footed blast to the junior keeper's right which he was able to knock out with both arms outstretched.

7:21 p.m. - Boston College 1, Maryland 0
Boston College strikes first with a penalty kick score from Conor Fitzpatrick at 18:36 after an alledged Maryland handball in the box. MacMath guessed right on the play but the ball took a convenient bounce off the crossbar past the goal-line for a 1-0 BC lead.

7:25 p.m.
Patrick Mullins enters the midfield for Forbess. It is the first action for the freshman from Louisiana who was happy to get a win from the Saints last night in NFL action. Mullins led the Terps in scoring this spring as an early enrollee. He presents the Eagle defense with an immediate scoring threat.(19:03 remaining in first half)

7:30 p.m.
Maryland has taken more corners that each of its opponents in the first two matches but BC is winning that battle so far this evening as the Terps have yet to take a corner. MacMath is playing an extremely charged game in goal...not to mention his bright neon green jersey is helping light up the dim corners of the field. (17:08 remaining in the first half)

7:40 p.m.
Freshman Sunny Jane enters the match for Cortes. A total of five freshmen and sophomores are now on the field for Maryland which is seeking its first conference win of the year and its second consecutive victory this season.(10:47 remaining in the first half)

7:50 p.m.
You can really feel the sense of urgency from Maryland up-top. The Terps are scrapping for every ball, especially in the last 10 minutes of the match. The battles in each squad's respective box are intense. It is hard to believe this is just the ACC opener as it feels like a playoff atmosphere. Then again, this could easily be a College Cup preview recognizing the strength and history of the best conference in the land. (end of first half)

8:05 p.m.
The second half has started. With the sun fully set, there is a definite chill in the air. Helge Leikvang got the start in the midfield at the half, replacing Forbess. Lee is still on the bench after an injury to the face sent him to the sideline in the first minute of play. It appears the junior defender is ok, but the staff is surely not taking any chances after the contusion last week and his serious accident last fall. (40 minutes remaining in the match)

8:20 p.m. - Boston College 1, Maryland 1
Maryland made its first shot of the stanza a doozy, as Cortes's header dribbled into the back of the net to tie the score. Rodkey was credited with the assist on the play. Time of goal 59:44.

8:27 p.m.
After only taking one shot in the first 15 minutes of the second half, Maryland has attempted three in the last five minutes, highlighted by a long-range Rodkey blast that went just high of the post. Cortes' goal has certainly given life to what had been a quiet Terrapin offense. (25:36 remaining in the match)

8:35 p.m.
Kassel just took Maryland's first corner kick of the match as the Terps held possession for a good four minutes in its attack. A long serve from the Eagles resulted in a Boston College offsides. A second Kassel corner kick resulted in a drive which ended with Cortes bomb to the net behind the goal. (16:04 remaining in the match)

8:47 p.m.
Maryland continues to keep possession of the ball but is having some difficulty in its runs. A short Boston College threat ended with a boot to the back net. MacMath with the ball on an Eagle sub.(6:19 remaining in the match)

8:50 p.m.
John Stertzer in the game for the first time tonight. Credit to Woodberry for providing some excellent clearances for the Maryland defense. Boston College with a free kick after a foul on the far sideline. (3:00 remaining in the match)

8:54 p.m. An injured BC player is being assisted to the sideline. A battle is ensuing over near the far sideline as Jake Pace comes to the scorer's table to possibly check-in, giving Maryland a more physical presence in the backline. With zeros on the clock, Maryland will now trek to its second overtime contest of the young season.

9:03 p.m.
After a five-minute intermission, the action resumes. Great hustle by Kemp on the far sideline. After he nearly saved a ball from going out-of-bounds, an Eagle cross went awry over the goal, setting up a Terp goalkick. Kyle Bekker tallied the first shot of the overtime period with 6:30 remaining but MacMath registered his fifth save of the match on the play. (5:44 remaining in first overtime period)

9:05 p.m.
BC midfielder Amit Aburmad gave the Terps a scare when his shot ricocheted off the cross bar but did not cross the goal line. BC put together another good run two minutes later but the Terps defense remained steadfast. (1:41 remaining in first overtime)

9:09 p.m.
Rodkey tacked on the Terps' best look at goal with 1:30 left in the first extra stanza but his strike was blocked. Maryland and BC are using very little substitutions and the wear and tear is starting to show. Heading into overtime number two...

9:15 p.m.
Both teams have exchanged shots. BC with an additional shot, which was ultimately blocked by Young. Stertzer working his way to the scorer's table. The Terps are looking for an offensive spark. Stertzer notched Maryland's game-winner against Virginia Tech last season. Back-to-back corner kicks for Boston College came up blank. (4:44 remaining in the second overtime period)

9:20 p.m.
After Cortes was fouled in the midfield, Kassel's free kick resulted in a Terp foul in the box. BC answered with a rally of its own, but the Terps were able to shut down the BC's counter free kick. Mullins enters the match for Leikvang. (2:05 remaining in the second overtime)

9:26 p.m. - Boston College 1, Maryland 1 FINAL
A free kick in BC's attacking zone is blocked by a hopping Kassel. The game finishes in a 1-1 tie. Maryland will have little time to rest and recover from the 110 minute affair as it travels to Loyola (Md.) on Tuesday. Stay logged on to www.umterps.com for all the details!