Diminutive Jane keeps playing big for men's soccer

With the Terrapins men's soccer team leading N.C. State 2-0 on Friday night, Sunny Jane found himself in an all-too-familiar situation.

Draped by two towering Wolfpack players just inside the 18-yard box, the 5-foot-6 sophomore midfielder split the double-team, leaving the ball at one marker's feet as he burst away from the other. And just as the remaining defender lunged for possession, Jane poked it through his lanky legs and darted toward the end line in search of an open target.

Spotting a white jersey cutting into the 6-yard box, Jane crossed the ball to fellow midfielder John Stertzer, who promptly secured the Terps' eventual 3-1 home win with his fifth goal of the year.

The Terps may rely upon the three-pronged attack of forwards Casey Townsend and Patrick Mullins and Stertzer for more than 75 percent of their goals, but even they understand that their opportunities are coming from somewhere.

And lately for the No. 1 Terps (7-0), they're coming from Jane.

"He's been unstoppable," Townsend said after Jane tallied two assists during a 4-0 rout of Boston College two weeks ago. "He definitely makes our jobs a lot easier out there."

Using his supreme quickness to key fastbreaks, Jane has set up his teammates for numerous easy scores — much as he did for Stertzer on Friday night.

"[Jane] may be the best one-versus-one player in the conference," Cirovski said yesterday. "And the more comfortable he becomes out there, the more fun he is to watch."

After recording just one assist in a reserve role last season, the Lesotho, South Africa, native leads the ACC with five this year.

But Cirovski understands that Jane's significance cannot be fully expressed in a box score. After all, he's seen Jane, who was not available to comment, contribute too many hustle plays that will never show up in any stat line.

Earlier in the second half against N.C. State, Jane demonstrated his true worth when he darted past his marker and delivered an arching cross to Townsend in the penalty box. Wolfpack goalkeeper Fabian Otte blocked Townsend's header, but midfielder Jereme Raley netted an easy rebound goal.

Still, despite his many contributions this year, Jane's been unable to grab a goal of his own, a reality that seems to bother his teammates more than it bothers him.

He's tallied four shots on goal — the most of anyone other than Townsend, Mullins or Stertzer — but has been continually thwarted at the final possible moment.

"I'm not going to lie," Mullins said, "we all really want to see him get a goal."

That opportunity may arrive as soon as tonight, when the Terps face Seton Hall (3-2-1) in their second road matchup of the season.

The Pirates rank near the bottom of the Big East with nine goals allowed and could be overmatched by a Terps offense averaging more than three goals per game.

Cirovski said he's nonetheless wary of a Pirates team known for playing its best soccer at home. His squad left for South Orange, N.J., yesterday morning to get in an extra practice at Seton Hall's Owen T. Carroll Field, which will be the first turf surface the Terps have played on this season.

"Any time you play on a surface you're not accustomed to, it's vital to get to know it a little bit first," Cirovski said.

But turf or no turf, one thing should remain constant for the Terps tonight: Jane will be there hustling. And maybe, just maybe, netting that elusive first goal.

"I'm sure it's just a matter of time," Mullins said.

letourneau@umdbk.com