Nov. 28, 2010
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Penn State held Maryland, the nation's most prolific offensive team in 2010, scoreless for 87-plus minutes in Sunday's third round NCAA championship match, but the first career goal by Terrapin defender Taylor Kemp in the final moments of regulation play sent the Nittany Lions to a heartbreaking 1-0 defeat. Penn State ends the year with a 14-8-1 record, the most wins by a Nittany Lion team since 2002 (16-8-2)
The Penn State back line, consisting of Andy Parr (Hummelstown, Pa.), Brian Forgue (Glenmoore, Pa.), Andres Casais (Caracas, Venezuela), and Matt Smallwood (Cochranville, Pa.) performed brilliantly, allowing just one of Maryland's 21 total shots to make it on goal. However, that one shot was all the Terrapins needed, as it produced the game winner. The Nittany Lion offense registered 10 shots (3 on goal) for the game, led by three from senior midfielder Matheus Braga (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) but mustered just two in the second half.
Maryland (19-2-1) controlled pace and possession through the opening 20 minutes, making several dangerous runs into the Penn State defense. The Terrapins recorded the game's first four shots, but the Nittany Lions held firm and repelled the early push.
Answering the challenge, Penn State (14-8-1) began to exert its will, dominating the final 25 minutes of play in the first half. The Lions nearly took control of the game in the 22nd minute, just missing the opportunity to earn a 1-0 lead. Positioned just inside the 18, junior forward Corey Hertzog (Reading, Pa.) tipped a pass to senior midfielder Drew Cost (West Chester, Pa.), who was set up just outside the box. Playing the ball down to his right foot and maneuvering around his mark, Cost unleashed a smash that only a spectacular diving save by Maryland goalkeeper Zac MacMath kept out of net.
Braga had Penn State's second golden opportunity to crack the scoreboard, earning the prime chance in the 33rd minute. Freshman forward Jordan Tyler (Rochester, Mich.) won a ball at the top of the box, heading it to Hertzog, who then played it wide to Braga. Streaking down the far wing, Braga made a touch and then launched a rising rocket that looked to be on target but instead drifted wide and high of net to the far post.
Just minutes later, Penn State's pressure produced another scoring chance. Smallwood triggered the opportunity, serving into the box one of several excellent crossing passes he had on the day. Up close, Forgue outjumped his mark and headed the ball towards net. A Maryland defender intercepted it and attempted to clear it off the line, but, instead, the ball came to junior midfielder Justin Lee (Derwood, Md.) near the top of the 18. Lee's one-time blast was only inches off target, sailing just wide of an open net.
Despite not being able to capitalize on its scoring chances in the first half, Penn State went to the break with confidence and boasting an 8-7 advantage in shots.
In the second half, Penn State couldn't maintain its momentum, as Maryland amped up its play on both ends of the field. The Terrapins' vaunted offense, which posted 58 goals in 21 games, began to apply constant pressure, resulting in repeated scoring opportunities. Meanwhile, the Nittany Lions' only legitimate look came in the 70th minute when, off a throw-in deep in Terrapin territory, Cost lofted a shot from 20 yards away that went high of net.
Maryland was unlucky in the 84th minute when a Casey Townsend shot banged off the post and then a follow-up header by Jason Herrick flew wide of net. However, the Terrapins got a fortunate bounce just minutes later that would prove to the difference in the game. An attempted clear by the Penn State defense came to Kemp near the top of the box and his quick shot went high into net, providing Maryland with the winning margin.
The loss for Penn State was not only its second consecutive to Maryland in NCAA championship play but also its second straight in the final minutes of a postseason contest against the Terrapins. A year ago, Jason Herrick scored with just over five minutes remaining to down the Nittany Lions, 2-1, in a second round match in University Park. The setback also marked just the second time in 23 games that the Penn State offense, which had produced 45 goals this season, was held scoreless.