Men's Soccer Falls to No. 8 Maryland, 2-0

Friday, October 1

College Park, Md.

8:00 PM

Duke University

Maryland

Men's Soccer Falls to No. 8 Maryland, 2-0

10/1/2010 10:38:00 PM | Men's Soccer

By: Duke Sports Information

COLLEGE PARK, Md. -Eighth-ranked Maryland registered two first-half goals en route to a 2-0 win over No. 9 Duke in Atlantic Coast Conference men's soccer action this evening on Ludwig Field. The contest drew a record crowd 7,260 live on Fox Soccer Channel.

Matt Kassel and Patrick Mullins scored goals for the Terrapins to earn the wins. Maryland held a 19-10 advantage in shots for the game and a 6-2 edge in corner kicks. The loss drops Duke to 4-2-3 overall and 1-2-1 in the ACC, while the Terrapins improve to 5-2-1 and 2-1-1 in conference play.

"We knew we were going to get a lot of pressure early and our thought was that we could counter that and get the ball through Cole we could create chances," head coach John Kerr said. "And we did quite well with that, creating three or four chances in the first half hour of the game. We didn't capitalize on the opportunities. And then Maryland came down and got a goal and give credit to them. They are a good team when playing with the lead."

The opening 45 minutes featured back-and-forth action with both teams playing a direct style. Duke and Maryland combined for 15 shots in the first 45 minutes.

The Blue Devils had the first great opportunity of the half in the 10th minute as Cole Grossman sent the ball across the face of the goal from the right flank. The ball came all the way to the left post where Ryan Finley was standing wide open, but he hit the ball just wide to give Maryland a goal kick.

Maryland started to create dangerous opportunities midway through the half, sending passes in behind the Blue Devil defense. Each time Duke's backline stepped up to the challenge and held off the Terrapins.

Finley got loose again midway through the half as Grossman sent a through ball to the left side. The sophomore forward ran onto the ball and fired the ball wide right of the net to keep the game scoreless.

The Terrapins took a 1-0 lead with 11:35 left in the first half as Matt Kassel connecting on a penalty kick. Jason Herrick earned the foul in the penalty area as he got loose on the right side of the box.

Maryland made it 2-0 eight minutes later after a flurry of shots from close range. Herrick ripped an initial shot from 12 yards that was blocked and Patrick Mullins got the rebound and put the ball in the back of the net.

Holding a 2-0 advantage heading into the second half, the Terrapins continued to push forward in search of a third goal to clinch the victory. Maryland controlled much of the possession in the second period, testing the Blue Devil defense.

The Terrapins nearly made it 3-0, but were denied by the right post. Duke continued to push forward in search of a goal that would get the team back into the game. Maryland's defense stayed strong and was able to post its fourth shutout of the year.

Duke goaltender James Belshaw made seven saves for the game, while Zac MacMath did not have to make a save in 90 minutes of action.

Duke returns home for its next contest on Oct. 5, hosting Davidson at 7 p.m., at Koskinen Stadium.