Nov. 15, 2008
ACC Championship Game Notes | Gametracker | ACC Men's Soccer Championship Central
CARY, N.C. -
The Maryland/Virginia men's soccer rivalry continues Sunday as the two programs match up in the 2008 ACC Championship game at 1 p.m. at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, N.C.
The semifinals were nothing short of exhilarating with Maryland benefitting from a lucky bounce off a Boston College defender for an own goal that helped secure the win over the third-seeded Eagles in the opening game Friday. Virginia, a fourth seed, gave reigning national champion Wake Forest its first loss since the ACC Tournament last season after nailing a penalty kick in the second overtime.
Maryland, which controlled the momentum from the get-go against Boston College Friday, will look to win its first ACC title since 2002. In total, the Terps and head coach Sasho Cirovski boast two tournament championships and have been in the finals six times, all versus Virginia. Maryland is arguably one of the hottest teams in the country, carrying a ten-game winning streak into Sunday's match. The Terps have surrendered only four goals over that span. The Terrapin offense is led by All-ACC First Team member Jeremy Hall, who paces Maryland in goals (12) and points (29). Freshman Zac MacMath continues to show maturity far beyond his years, winning his 13th consecutive contest Friday after dropping his first career start in late August against California.
Virginia pulled out an upset bid against No. 1 Wake Forest, 3-2, in double overtime in the tourney semifinals Friday. Matt Poole scored the game-winning penalty kick and UVA also picked up goals from Jonathan Villanueva and Chase Neinken. The Cavaliers sustained a big loss towards the end of the regular season when 2008 ACC Freshman of the Year Tony Tchani went down with a season-ending injury. Keeper Michael Giallombardo has 40 saves and is 9-4-1 heading into Sunday's match.
Maryland leads the all-time series, 35-25-7, and has faced Virginia every time they have reached the ACC Championship game. The Cavaliers lead that series, 4-2, including a win, 2-1, in the teams' last championship meeting in 2004. The Terps met the Cavaliers on Halloween night this season in a game that featured three yellow cards and three red cards and led to a 10-9 on-field advantage for Maryland midway through the second half. The Terps won, 2-1, benefitting from goals from Jeremy Hall and Graham Zusi. Drew Yates helped create Hall's goal while Zusi's score came via a penalty kick. Ross LaBauex netted Virginia's lone goal.
MEDIA INFORMATION
Radio: WMUC
TV: Comcast Sports Net, Fox Sports South, Fox Sports Florida, and NESN
