032408 by The Diamondback

THE DIAMONDBACK | SPORTS | MONDAY, MARCH 24, 2008

Defense big in Terp’s win

Terps pull away after half NCAA, from Page 12

UNC, from Page 12 held the Tar Heels scoreless for the next 20:13. The Tar Heels (6-2, 0-2) tried to maintain offensive patience but the Terps’ variety of defensive looks kept North Carolina from generating quality scoring opportunities and forced numerous turnovers in the goal area. “We were so prepared for this team,” senior defender Joe Cinosky said. “[Junior defender Kevin Slafkosky] had a great game plan. We had three or four defenses we wanted to throw at them to mix them up and knock them off their game plan. Obviously, it worked and we got the win.” The Tar Heels finally got their offense working late, scoring three unanswered goals in 3:03 to cut the lead to four with 5:19 remaining in the game. Momentum seemed to be with the Tar Heels when they won the ensuing face-off, but seconds later they failed to complete a short pass resulting in a turnover. The Terps took advantage to ice the game when junior midfielder Dan Groot broke away from a double team behind the goal and scored before the goalie could get back into position with 4:10 left. Cottle said he was pleased his young team maintained their poise after North Carolina cut into the lead late in the game. “After that we settled ourselves down and played a little bit smarter,” Cottle said. It was enough for the win, one that should give a young Terp team confidence as it heads into a stretch with the Cavaliers, No. 8 Navy and No. 6 Johns Hopkins on consecutive weekends. But Cottle said he’d rather focus on the accomplishment and not look too far ahead just yet. “We got a win in a tough place to play against a very good team,” Cottle said. “Now we play another great team next week, but we’re just going to enjoy this one right now.”

ADAM FRIED–THE DIAMONDBACK

Guard Kristi Toliver (center), center Jade Perry and the Terps will need to play better than they did Sunday to beat No. 8-seed Nebraska on Tuesday.

points during the run, and combined with senior guard Rashida Suber for 45 of the Eagles’ 66 points for the game. The Terps looked tentative for a lot of the rest of the half, and looked far from their best as the players walked dejectedly into the locker room with a 40-35 halftime lead. “We weren’t pleased with how many open looks they were getting,” Frese said. The Eagles kept pace early in the second half, before constant fouls and cold shooting began to catch up with them and the Terps slowly pulled away. The Terps were able to get the ball inside with more consistency in the second half and

did a better job defending Oakley, who was limited to three points after the break. When Coleman rejected Oakley’s layup attempt — with arguably the most ferocious block of the season — with less than eight minutes remaining, the Terps erupted, mobbing Coleman and finally showing the swagger of a top seed. It was the Terps only block of the game and one of their first signs of life all afternoon. “I don’t think we were ever worried about being in danger,” Coleman said. “We’re going to get our opponent’s best game. It doesn’t matter who we’re playing; it’s the NCAA tournament.” The Terps were able to clear the bench at the end of the game, and the starters could

smile on the sideline as time ran out, but the 14-point win was not the statement the Terps were hoping to make in the first round. ACC Player of the Year Crystal Langhorne led the Terps with 25 points and 12 rebounds, and junior guard Kristi Toliver finished with 13 points, seven assists and seven rebounds despite dealing with a stomach illness. The Terps will play No. 8seed Nebraska on Tuesday in the second round, knowing they will need a more complete effort to move on. “It’s the start of a new season,” Toliver said. “It’s one and done and everybody knows that.” schimmeldbk@gmail.com

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