After week of rest, men's soccer show its stuff in 4-0 win vs. Penn

After a seven-day layoff since its ACC Championship performance, the Terrapin men's soccer team didn't wait long yesterday to begin its quest for a fourth national championship in earnest.

Looking to erase the memory of a no-shot second-half performance against North Carolina on Nov. 14, the Terps scored only nine minutes in against Penn, starting what became a three-goal first-half outburst in a 4-0 win against the Quakers in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

The win at Ludwig Field moved the second-seeded Terps (18-2-1) on to the Sweet 16, where they'll face No. 15 seed Penn State on Sunday.

The Terps' longest break of the season didn't hurt their Division I-best offense. Ailing with injuries and fatigue after three games in five days in Cary, N.C., the Terps used last week to recover. Against the Quakers, they looked the part of a fresh team.

"When we have our legs and our energy, we can dictate the tempo of the game," coach Sasho Cirovski said. "I thought today our guys benefited from a week of preparation. ... I thought it was a complete performance."

Midfielder John Stertzer started the Terps off quickly when he received a header in the penalty box from forward Jason Herrick. He slid and knocked the ball to the left part of the net as Penn goalkeeper Ben Berg dived right.

"They did all the hard work, really. I just put myself in a good position," Stertzer said. "We talked about it before the game that we wanted to come out strong. I know if I put the work in, my time will come."

With the confidence from the first strike and fresh legs, the Terps kept attacking. Midway through the half, forward Casey Townsend found himself battling with Penn defender Thomas Brandt in the penalty box for an incoming pass. Brandt pulled him down, drawing a penalty kick. Midfielder Matt Kassel calmly nailed his ninth goal of the season by beating Berg with a shot to the lower right corner of the net.

"This week break leading up to this game really helped me get my legs back," Kassel said. "It's just important to step up and be confident."

Defender Greg Young capped off the efficient first half with a wide-open score from eight yards out. Young found himself with possession after a Kassel free kick and powered the ball to the top of the net for the first goal of his career.

With the game easily in hand, midfielder Patrick Mullins scored the game's final goal in the 88th minute on a left-footed strike from 10 yards out to the far post.

The extra strength from the week off proved instrumental.

"We did a lot to really rejuvenate their minds and their bodies so that they would be feeling very fresh for today's game," Cirovski said. "I think you saw the result. The energy was outstanding."

Goalkeeper Zac MacMath built on his ACC Tournament Most Valuable Player performance with several key saves at the beginning of the game and during the second half. Despite a rotating backline due to a rash of injuries, MacMath has continued to excel, recording his 14th shutout of the season against the Quakers.

"Everyone has responded well with injuries or new positions," MacMath said. "Everyone has confidence in each other."

For the ninth straight season, the Terps have advanced to the Sweet 16. There, they'll face the Nittany Lions in a rematch from last season's NCAA Tournament.

"When you get to the round of 16, you only see good teams," Cirovski said. "So we'll be ready for them."

ceckard@umdbk.com