Uno

There are some things I generally do not do (check that, there are a lot of things I don't do), and near the top of that list is flying solo. I have, maybe, gone to one or two movies by my lonesome and, while I used to go to games at Jack Murphy when the Cubs came to town on my own, I have rarely gone to sporting events without accompaniment. So I take it as a testament to how much I love watching Maryland play (rather than declining popularity) that I went to the Terps match last night after being shot down by those who would normally join me.

And, as usual, a great time was had by all. This team may not be one of the best teams in the country, but they are fun to watch. The only goal scored in the game was off a beautiful cross from Kwame Darko from the right hand side put home by Kaoru Forbess. But what made the trip worthwhile was watching Alex Lee and Widner Saint Cyr in the second half. I have been so smitten with Ethan White's play that I have not paid sufficient attention to how good Alex Lee is at right back. The sophomore was a menace marauding forward and Loyola had no answer for his quick stepover. For his part, Saint Cyr is fun to watch. A little Widner backheel drew gasps from an otherwise unengaged crowd.

By all rights, Maryland should have buried Loyola. They outshot Loyola 20 to 7 but converted only once. For the season, Maryland has outshot its opponents 188 to 81 but have scored only 15 goals and almost half of those came in the match against Duquesne. They are averaging 19 shots for game and have only been outshot once in ten matches this season (against the Tar Heels -- 10 shots for UNC, 7 for Maryland). 77 of the 188 shots have been on goal and should they figure out how to get balls into the net, this will be one hell of a team.