Men's soccer ends regular season with 5-0 fireworks

In the final minutes of Friday night's Terrapin men's soccer match, midfielder Helge Leikvang launched a shot from 45 yards out that somehow found its way to the back of the net.

Midfielder Matt Kassel ran over to the freshman and, without hesitation, bowed down.

The goal was just another impressive clip added to an already formidable highlight reel against a helpless Coastal Carolina defense. The No. 3 Terps used a barrage of long-distance bombs to put away the Chanticleers, 5-0, and extend their win streak to 10 games in their regular-season finale.

"There were some of the best goals of the year," coach Sasho Cirovski said.

Often this season, the Terps relied on crosses into the penalty box or runs through an opponent's backline to become the nation's highest-scoring offense.

But when the Chanticleers loaded the back and prevented early chances, the Terps (14-2-1)looked elsewhere.

Midfielder Billy Cortes, who was one of five seniors honored before the match, broke the scoreless tie in the 16th minute when he launched a shot from 25 yards out.

"I just got the ball on the outside, and I thought I could take my guy," Cortes said. "I cut in and saw an opening for a shot, and I placed it left foot, right corner."

Cortes' goal minute marked one of the more distant scores for the team this season. But it was soon outdone.

Three minutes later, Cortes tossed the ball back into play to Kassel. Out of nowhere, the midfielder blasted a 45-yard strike on goal. The ball rose and rose until it curved back down into the back of the net past Chanticleer goalkeeper Scott Angevine, who hardly moved as it soared over his head.

"I don't know, it was just in the air," Cortes said. "Some guys were just feeling it."

Owning a two-goal lead at halftime, Cirovski rested many of his starters against the Chanticleers (9-7-2). The intensity and precision scoring, however, didn't drop.

In the 62nd minute, Leikvang took a powerful shot just outside the penalty box that ricocheted off the crossbar and into the air. Midfielder Paul Torres found his way under it and headed it in for the team's third score.

Nine minutes later, midfielder Kaoru Forbess entered the highlight competition as he placed a looping 23-yard free kick into the bottom left corner of the net.

Leikvang got his redemption with just four minutes left in the blowout. Winding up from near midfield, the freshman blasted the ball past Angevine for the win's exclamation point.

"I think Kassel and Helge should rock-paper-scissors for [who had the best goal]," Cortes said. "Some guys were just feeling confident and just hitting from wherever."

"We've scored a lot off crosses or penetration into the box, but today, we showed we can score from outside the box," Cirovski said. "That just gives them the confidence in the different things we can do."

The onslaught of scoring allowed Cirovski to rest Kassel and forwards Jason Herrick and Casey Townsend as the team prepares for the ACC Tournament this week. Defenders Ethan White and London Woodberry also sat out for the third straight game due to injury, but it didn't disturb the Terps' dominance.

"It was pleasing to get some of our guys who have played a lot of minutes and that are beat-up a chance to rest," Cirovski said. "It's just another momentum builder, and we're ready to get down to Cary, [N.C.]."

ceckard@umdbk.com