George Mason Upsets Maryland

By Will Kuhns
Special to The Washington Post
Monday, November 17, 1997; Page D3

Unranked George Mason upset eighth-seeded Maryland, 2-1, in an NCAA women's soccer tournament first-round game yesterday at Ludwig Field. Sophomore Faith Klapinski, a late substitute, scored the winning goal in the 81st minute — a little less than two minutes after Maryland had tied the match. George Mason senior midfielder Julie Ames mis-hit a cross from the right sideline, but the ball tailed toward Maryland's goal and glanced off the crossbar to Klapinski, who volleyed in from three yards her first career goal.

"It is just an incredible feeling — an adrenaline rush, pride — I'm just happy I could help the team," said Klapinski, who started just one game this year. George Mason (14-5-4) had lost to Maryland, 3-0, during the regular season. The Patriots advance to play a second-round match next weekend at unseeded Harvard (12-3-2), a 2-0 winner over Massachusetts.

"Without a doubt this win rejuvenates our team," said George Mason Coach Jac Cicala. It was a disappointing finish for Maryland (12-9-3), which lost to No. 1 North Carolina in the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament final last weekend.

"It's an old saying in soccer that the best time to score is right after the other team does," Maryland Coach Alan Kirkup said. "After [Klapinski's goal] we were struggling. We went from an emotional high to a letdown."

Cicala moved his leading scorer, Jenn Gross, from her usual
striker position to an attacking midfield role and movedsophomore Jaime Ricker, who usually plays midfield, to forward. The tactical change worked in the first half, as the Patriots' pressure slowed Maryland's offense and Ricker's speed was a threat.

In the 25th minute, defender Angela Gurner stole the ball from Terrapins forward Michelle Deville and quickly crossed the ball behind Maryland's defense. George Mason senior Taylor Eubank ran onto it and had enough time to put in her own rebound after goalkeeper Alli Wolff stopped Eubank's first shot.

The Patriots protected the 1-0 lead until the 79th minute, when Maryland's Keri Sarver punched in a rebound of a shot by Robin McCullough that goalkeeper Jaime Pagliarulo couldn't control.

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