On ESPN tv, live, now. Go Terps. Approximately 120 degrees on the playing surface at game time. Great 'home' crowd-while watching you will immediately notice the difference in the talent level between Division III and Division I-in comparison, Tufts should be relegated to Division VIII. It's time to take the cheese..END 1st Q: Maryland, in red, opens with stifling defense-it appears their freshman goalie, Nick Amato, is channeling the spirit of "Stonewall" Jackson {ironically, a Virginian}, and has puffed up like a stone wall to stifle at least three extremely golden Virginia shots. MD 1- VA nil at end of first.
HALFTIME: The second was all Virginia-a crushing, tight zone defense, pin-point passing and actually getting the quality shots on net. Virginia's Colin Briggs {suspended last game} has a first half hat-trick. Terps had opportunities, but did not get a lot of shots on the goal. Given Virginia's D collapsing around the crease, Maryland is going to have to shoot more, more quickly, and from further out, in an accurate fashion, to bring some of the big sticks away from their goalie's shoulders. Ironically Virginia is showing more of the Stonewall now. Virginia 5 MD 3.
END 3RD Q: 6-4 Virginia. VA is taking the air out of the ball, and playing more conservatively. heat is now a factor-Terps must dominate early in the 4th, and keep this game within one goal.
FINAL: 9-7. Virginia was a little better today-better D, crisper set-up passing and accurate finishing. Quite a different vibe for VA lax than about 14 months ago when murder tore into their organization. Good ride for the Terps-no shame..good luck to all the seniors as they now proceed into 'the real world,' or four-eight years of graduate school if they are smart given the current economy.