5:30 P.M. SUNDAY DEC. 14 FRISCO Texas -- Both teams said it would come down to just one play to win or lose the game.
In Sunday's College Cup final Maryland's Graham Zusi made that play and his goal in the 67th minute won the game and the title for the Terrapins 1-0.
Meanwhile" North Carolina's Cinderella run ended in the finals.
""I want to congratulate Maryland for winning the national championship" North Carolina coach Elmar Bolowich said. And I want to congratulate our team for putting out an outstanding effort. I think we left everything on the field" and I cannot ask for anything more.""
The Tar Heels struggled offensively on the day" finishing with 14 shots but only two on goal. Senior Brian Shriver led the team with five one on goal.
Shriver freshman Billy Schuler" keeper Brooks Haggerty and midfielder Zach Loyd all were named to the all-tournament team.
But a 1-0 upset against No. 1 Wake Forest on Friday might have proved a blessing and a curse for the Tar Heels.
""It's tough to recover" coach Bolowich said. And we know in these games where fatigue factor sets in and lack of concentration sets in that one play will make a difference. And Maryland got that play" and we didn't.""
Zusi's goal came in the 67th minute off a rebound from a blocked shot earlier" and he was able to curl the rebound around Haggerty into the lower left corner of the net.
It was the same score he made against the Tar Heels in the regular season" and it was one he'd been waiting for -- a rebounded shot just around the 18.
""That happened quite a bit against them" so (coach) said to look for it" Zusi said. I just happened to be in the right place at the right time.""
Zusi and the Terrapins left with their second title in four years"" while North Carolina left with thoughts full of what-ifs.
""It's tough to find positives out of a time like this"" senior captain Michael Callahan said, plainly enough. It's painful.
""It hurts.""
