| Gameday Central |
| American |
1 |
|
| No. 2 Maryland |
2 |
 |
Goals: Garey (MD), Herrera (MD), Herman (AU)
Assists: Herrera (MD), Garey (MD), Niebling (AU), Kuykendall (AU)
Saves: Myers (AU) 6; Palmer (MD) 3 |
COLLEGE PARK, Md. -- Despite scoring the first goal of the season by any team against No. 2 Maryland, the American University men's soccer team fell by a score of 2-1. The Eagles (1-2-1) netted their only goal in the 71st minute as Andrew Herman scored with assists by Brett Niebling and Shawn Kuykendall. However, it was not enough to overcome two first half mistakes that led to Terrapin goals. Kuykendall and Charlie Koniver were named to the Maryland/adidas Classic All-Tournament Team.
The Terps (4-0-0) netted the first goal in the eighth minute after an AU giveaway around midfield. A.J. Herrera fed Jason Garey who dribbled the ball into the box and was able to beat American goalkeeper Thomas Myers to make the score 1-0 in favor of Maryland. The Eagles responded with good pressure over a five minute span, but were unable to take a shot.
Maryland got its second goal in a similar fashion to its first in the 25th minute. After an Eagle giveaway, Herrera fed Garey who fired a shot on goal. Myers was able to block the shot, but the rebound went to Herrera who put the ball in the open net. The Eagles did respond with three solid chances in the final 10 minutes of the half. Herman had a breakaway and took a shot that Maryland goalkeeper Noah Palmer saved. In the 41st minute, Salvatore Caccavale passed the ball to Peter Philipakos on the wing who sent the ball into the box. Kuykendall was there for the header but it went just wide. One minute later, AU's David Marut won the ball and sent the ball ahead to Caccavale who played a brilliant ball into the box. Herman gathered and shot, but it was saved.
Early in the second half, Maryland looked to add to its lead as Garey came in all alone on Myers. However, Myers came well off his mark and cut off the angle, forcing Garey to shoot wide. American began to put some pressure on Maryland, causing the Terps to play back more in the second half. In the 65th minute, AU earned two corners, but did not take a shot.
AU finally got on the board in the 71st minute as Maryland allowed its first goal of the season. The Eagles earned a throw in deep in the Terrapin end. Niebling sent the throw into Kuykendall who played the ball back to Niebling. After an excellent cross by Niebling to the far post, Herman was able to put the ball in the net to bring AU within one.
American had a number of chances over the rest of the match including a free kick taken from just outside the box in the 77th minute that was blocked by the Maryland defense. Despite the building pressure from AU, the Eagles could not find the equalizer in the match.
The referees were very involved in the entire game, issuing nine cautions with six yellow cards going to American and three to Maryland. AU drew 16 fouls while Maryland had 11. The Eagles were outshot, 20-8, through the match and Maryland had eight shots on goal compared to four for AU. Myers made six saves in goal for the Eagles and Palmer had three for the Terps.
American returns to action next weekend at the ODU/Stihl Classic taking on Old Dominion on Friday and William and Mary next Sunday.
