UCLA
Maryland (Maryland Tournament)
Bruins Fall To No. 2 Maryland, 1-0
September 05, 2003 | Men's Soccer
Sept. 5, 2003
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Maryland's second-ranked men's soccer team knocked off top-ranked UCLA, 1-0, in front of a record 6,143 fans at Ludwig Field Friday night when forward Abe Thompson converted on a penalty kick in the 56th minute of play for the game's decisive goal.
The rematch of the 2002 College Cup lived up to expectations despite soggy conditions that led to some to some inconsistent play early on by the top nation's top ranked teams. The two teams also came out with a lot of emotion that also led to a tentative first half.
"The game itself was highly competitive and combative at times," Maryland head coach Sasho Cirovski said. "I thought the conditions tonight made it tough for both teams to play with a lot of skill. It was going to be a situation where opportunism was going to win out, and we were able to take advantage of the penalty kick call."
UCLA outshot Maryland in the first half, 7-4, but was unable to find the back of the net. The best scoring opportunity for either team came with five minutes remaining to play in the half when Bruin freshman Chad Barrett broke free inside the box, but his shot from 15 yards out sailed wide of the goal.
The Terrapins came out in the second half and applied intense pressure on the Bruin defense in the first 10 minutes. Ian Rodway had a good look from in the box that floated high, and Thompson slid past defenders on the right side but his shot hit the post.
The pressure finally paid off when a hand ball foul was called on UCLA after a throw-in by the Terps. Thompson was awarded a penalty kick and got the shot past Bruin keeper Zach Wells.
UCLA's lone shot on goal came in the 66th minute off the foot of Adolfo Gregorio. Maryland ended the match with a 13-12 advantage in shots, but the Terps managed a 6-1 advantage on shots on goal.
UCLA and Virginia will square off at noon on Sunday as the fourth annual Maryland/adidas Soccer Classic wraps up. The Bruins, however, will be without the services of senior forward Matt Taylor, who was red-carded with just over three minutes to play in the game after a tough tackle.
