Terps shut down high-powered ’Cats
Elney’s goal sends Maryland to national semifinals for first time since 2013
Sebastian Elney scored in the 29th minute as the 11th-seeded Maryland men’s soccer team beat third-seeded Kentucky, 1-0, to advance to the College Cup for the first time since 2013 on Friday night.
The Terps (11-6-4) are 7-1-1 in their past nine matches. Elney’s goal was enough as the Maryland defense shutdown Kentucky’s high-powered attack. The Terps have not allowed a goal in their past 320 minutes of play.
“For our program, this is a big moment,” Maryland coach Sasho Cirovski said. “We struggled the last couple years in the NCAA tournament and we challenged this team to reset the identity and bring back the Maryland quality, and this team has done that. You saw a team tonight that was battle tested and
Final four understood the challenge and met it.”
After a tense first 25 minutes, Elney got his goal in the 29th minute. Theball wasplayedin to Paul Bin 25 yards from goal and the junior one touched the ball to Amar Sejdic. Sejdic then played to the streaking Elney, who finished far post from18 yards away.
Dayne St. Clair saved the lead in the 78th minute. A Kentucky shot deflected off Johannes Bergmann, Andrew Samuels and Donovan Pines and towards goal before St. Clair made a left-handed reaction save.
Bergmann, Pines, Di Rosa and Chase Gasper stifled Kentucky’s attack in front of St. Clair the entire night, shutting out the nation’s No. 5 scoring offense. Kentucky was 12-0 at home before Friday, scoring 32 goals and conceding just two at home.