COLLEGE PARK, Md. – The UMBC men's soccer team snapped Maryland's 12-year streak of consecutive trips to the Sweet Sixteen with a 1-0 victory Sunday night in the second round of the 2014 NCAA Men's Soccer Championship at Ludwig Field.
Malcolm Harris slotted home the game-winning goal from five yards in the 70th minute to advance UMBC (13-5-4) to the third round. The result halted an incredible 11-game unbeaten streak for the Terps (13-6-3) which dated back to a loss against Northwestern on Oct. 5.
Mael Corboz had two solid opportunities for the Terps – who outshot UMBC 5-3 in the first half – with a pair of free kicks in the opening stanza. Both attempts were saved by Retriever goalkeeper Billy Heavner, who ended the match with four saves.
UMBC stepped up its offensive presence in the second half, mustering nine attempts in the period, including the Harris game-winner. After Kay Banjo's open look was stopped by a masterful save from Terrapin keeper Zack Steffen, Harris picked up the opportunistic rebound and finished for the lone goal of the match. It was the only goal of the 2014 series after the two teams battled to a 0-0 draw on Sept. 5.
Maryland – winners of both the Big Ten regular season and tournament titles this season – secured a 15th-straight winning season and punched its ticket to the NCAA tournament for a 14th-consecutive season.
“We are extremely gutted with the result today,” head coach Sasho Cirovski said. “I thought we played a very good first half but the game shifted in the second half and UMBC came out with some energy and had a little momentum. This game was going to take an effort goal and they ended up picking up a loose ball, we were unbalanced, and they put they found a way to get a goal in the back of the net.
“I have nothing but pride and great feelings about my team. I love them deeply. I feel deeply for all of them, especially my seniors.”
Sunday's heartbreaker was the Maryland finale for seniors Alex Shinsky, Dan Metzger, Jereme Raley, Jordan Tatum, Dan Metzger, and Mikias Eticha. The class was vital in continuing the legacy of Terrapin soccer, notching an incredible 64-15-14 record in the last four seasons while capturing two ACC tournament and regular season titles, a Big Ten tournament and regular season championship, and notched back-to-back trips to the College Cup in 2012 and 2013.
