Maryland defeats Brown 2-1 in NCAA Second Round Sunday

Dan Metzger’s goal in the waning moments of regulation was the difference as No. 2 Maryland defeated Brown 2-1 in the second round of the 2012 NCAA Men’s Soccer Tournament Sunday at Ludwig Field.

Bobby Belair scored early for Brown (13-3-3), before goals by Patrick Mullins and Metzger lifted Maryland (18-1-2) to the third round for a nation-best 11th season where it will face Coastal Carolina in next week’s third round.

Brown capitalized on its control of possession early in the first half when Belair turned in a corner kick for the game’s opening goal. The senior forward was able to get ahold of Dylan Remick’s dangerous cross for his fourth tally of the season.

The Bears almost doubled their lead just after the opener. Sophomore Ben Maurey’s chip went just wide after Maryland keeper Keith Cardona was caught out of his goal.

Maryland asserted itself late in the half with a series of chances. Defender Jordan Cyrus laced a strike from just outside the 18-yard box that was blocked by a Bears defender.

Mullins, the 2012 ACC Offensive Player of the Year, tied the game just before halftime with a beautiful individual effort. The junior forward received the ball at the midfield line, dribbled forward, and unleashed a strike from 30 yards that beat Brown keeper Sam Kernan-Schloss low to the right corner of the goal.

Mullins goal was his team leading 14th of the season and gave the Terrapins momentum going into the second half

The second half was a physical battle with both teams creating chances for the go-ahead goal. Mullins almost put the Terrapins in front with 34 minutes remaining, but his header was well saved by Kernan-Schloss.

Maryland took the lead in the dying moments when Metzger deflected a Helge Leikvang cross into the back right corner of the net with 57 seconds remaining.

It was the sophomore’s third goal and Leikvang’s second assist on the season.

“I’m proud of our team tonight,” head coach Sasho Cirovski said. “We didn’t play our best soccer, but we showed our championship fiber and found a way to win. To score a goal in the last couple minutes of each half shows a team that’s mentally tough.

“Brown is an outstanding team. I expected they were going to give us a great challenge tonight, and they did.”

Maryland returns to the field next Sunday to take on Coastal Carolina in the third round of the NCAA tournament. Kickoff is scheduled for 5 p.m. at Ludwig Field and the game can be seen live for free on TerpsTV.