During the Maryland men?s soccer team?s NCAA tournament championship run last year, the team failed to meet one goal. The Terps? hopes of winning the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament were derailed when Duke beat them, 4-2, in the semifinals.
On Friday at 8 p.m., Maryland (15-3-1) will get its shot at redemption when it meets Duke (14-3-1) again in this year?s ACC semifinals at the Maryland SoccerPlex in Boyds.
“Maryland-Duke is a special game no matter where it?s at,” Maryland coach Sasho Cirovski said. “This is the team that knocked us out of the ACC tournament last year. They?re a very, very good team. It?s a pretty good scenario for [the media] to build up.”
The Terps have already exacted some revenge, beating the Blue Devils, 1-0, during the regular season. However, that was one of just two conference losses Duke suffered en route to claiming the ACC?s regular-season crown.
In Wednesday?s ACC quarterfinals at the SoccerPlex, Duke beat North Carolina State, 2-1, while Maryland advanced with a dramatic 1-0 double-overtime win over Boston College.
Graham Zusi scored the game?s only goal in the 104th minute when he inadvertently redirected a shot from Maurice Edu, who received a throw-in from Omar Gonzalez.
“I knew we had a lot of guys in the box, so I was just trying to either get it on frame or at least get it in the box so someone else had a chance to get it in,” Edu said. “And luckily the deflection went in.”
Maryland had been shut out just once this season, but was six minutes away from another. Cirovski said his offense hasn?t been in rhythm down the stretch, but he added that getting midfielder Jason Herrick back should help remedy the problem.
While the Eagles out-shot the Terps, 20-12, Maryland goalkeeper Chris Seitz was up to the challenge, making a season-high eight saves.
“When you can win in this tournament when you?re not at your best, that means you?ve got something special inside you,” Cirovski said. “I think this team has a great deal of heart.”
Now the Terps will prepare again for Duke.
