By: John Moseman
Things between perennial men’s soccer powerhouses Big Ten preseason favorite Maryland and Pac-12 preseason favorite UCLA got off to a fast start in Los Angeles with the game’s only two goals scored coming in the first five minutes of the game.
UCLA started things off quickly after a Jason Romero goal in the 2nd minute off of a Brian Iloski cross. The Terps answered right back in the 5th minute after captain defenseman Alex Crognale headed the ball in the back of the net after UCLA goalie Juan Cervantez failed to control the ball in the box off of a lob.
Jason Romero nearly scored his second goal of the night and took the lead for UCLA in the 14th minute when he had a chance at a diving header, but it sailed left of the goal.
After the early game excitement things settled down and UCLA went back to the way they are known for playing – lateral passing along the defensive back line. Maryland went on to win the possession battle for the latter part of the first half and a majority of the second half.
Newcomers to the Terps this year, Gordon Wild and Alex Rozhansky, made their presence felt in their debut for Maryland with Wild hitting the crossbar in the 24th minute after a booming shot from inside the box. Rozhansky had his chance right at the start of the 2nd half from inside the box but UCLA’s Cervantez saved it.
Cervantez had five saves for the Bruins tonight, while Cody Niedermeier had four for the Terps, including a spectacular save with his right hand from a shot inside the box in the 58th minute.
Both teams still had plenty of chances to take control of the game in the second half but they just simply could not finish. UCLA had 8 of their 12 shots come in the second half while Maryland had 7 of their 14 shots in the second half.
UCLA had two great chances at goals during the second half and the second OT but could not capitalize as both shots sailed high over the goal. Those were the best looks UCLA had on goal all day, as Niedermeier was the only thing standing between the Bruins and a goal on both occasions.
Maryland’s Sebastian Elney, the hero and game-winning goal-scorer from last year’s match between Maryland and UCLA, had a chance at goal in the second OT, but his shot from inside the box went wide left.
The Terps have had success opening their season in Los Angeles, as the last two times they have played their season opener in Los Angeles, they went on to win the national championship that year.
Maryland now leads the overall series between the two teams 5-4-1.
The Terps continue their season on Monday against Hartford at Ludwig Field at 7 p.m.
