FRISCO, Texas -- Graham Zusi was the big hero for Maryland in the 2008 NCAA Men's College Cup, as his second goal of the College Cup -- the only two scored by the Terrapins -- gave Maryland the national championship with a 1-0 victory against North Carolina at Pizza Hut Park.
In Friday's semifinal, Zusi's goal off a free kick in the 104th minute propelled Maryland past St. John's. Then Sunday afternoon, the senior midfielder and tournament's Most Outstanding Offensive Player delivered yet again, scoring the game's only goal midway through the second half to power Maryland (23-3-0) to the third national title in school history.
"Our goal at the beginning of the year was to be the last team standing," Maryland head coach Sasho Cirovski said. "Our motto was from The Home Depot Center to Pizza Hut Park. There was a time in the middle of this year when I wasn't sure we had the fiber of a champion and we challenged out guys right after the Clemson game. A lot of talented players on this squad had not won any championships and we reminded them what it would take to be a champion. They not only bought into it, they exceeded every expectation I had."
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SIGHTS & SOUNDS
Zusi's second goal in three days came after Doug Rodkey sent a cross in from the right flank to start the sequence. Jeremy Hall then attempted to get off a shot but it was deflected by a UNC player. The carom fell to Zusi's feet and he punched it into the left side of the net to give the Terps a 1-0 edge.
After the goal, the first UNC had allowed in 269 minutes, the Tar Heels (15-8-1) made a final push, but in the end UNC lost despite a 14-10 edge in shots.
"It was a hard game for us," UNC head coach Elmar Bolowich said. "I felt like we had a tough time getting into the rhythm, especially in the first half. In the second half with our wind at our back, I thought we would do a little more but Maryland's defense held very strong. So I want to congratulate them for winning the national championship. I want to congratulate our team for an outstanding effort. I think we left everything on the field and I can't ask for anything more."
The final was played in 25 mph winds that swirled around the field. Maryland logged seven shots in the first half, five of which were on goal while UNC had six shots but none of those were on target.
Maryland's best chance of the first half came in the 24th minute. Matt Kassel took a corner kick that Terrapins forward Jason Herrick corralled on the left flank. Herrick attempted to tuck a shot inside the near post but UNC 'keeper Brooks Haggerty made a diving save to send the ball over the endline for another corner.
Three minutes later, Maryland apparently struck first after Jeremy Hall fed Herrick, who then delivered a perfect finish into the back of the Carolina net. However, Herrick was ruled offside by the official on the far sideline and the match remained scoreless.
Seven minutes before the halftime break, Zusi stepped up to take another free kick for Maryland, this one being from 35 yards. The senior struck the ball well but UNC goalkeeper Brooks Haggerty was there to make another great stop.
For Maryland, the win in the national title match was their 16th in a row and third of 2008 at Carolina's expense. It was also their school-record 23rd win and the 15th clean sheet the Terrapins have kept this year, another school standard.
Maryland placed an event-high five players on the All-Tournament Team while UNC had four. Junior Omar Gonzalez, a Dallas native who had a host of friends and family in attendance, earned Most Outstanding Defensive Player honors for his role as the anchor of a Maryland back line that was rock solid throughout the weekend, not allowing a single goal in 194 minutes.
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