By Tom Peace

Lady Terps Repeat as ACC Champs

The University of Maryland hosted the North Carolina Tar Heels Sunday for the ACC women's title, and the Lady Terps defeated UNC, 10-5, to repeat as ACC champions.

Coming into Sunday’s contest, Maryland was ranked No. 3 and UNC No. 1 in the deBeer Women’s Media Poll. The last time these two teams met (April 10) the Tar Heels won, 13-6.

Maryland went on a 4-1 run in the last 16 minutes of the second half and UNC could not find a way to get a lead. The closest the Tar Heels came was when Maryland was up, 2-1, early in the first half. Maryland goalkeeper Brittany Dipper was on her game, as she totaled 12 saves. ACC tournament MVP Caitlyn McFadden scored three goals for the Lady Terps, including the goal that put the Terps up 9-4 with 4:56 left in the second half.

Maryland's strength throughout the game was time of possession. The Lady Terps were able to get the ball on the offensive end and milk the clock, making the UNC defense work to get a loose ball.

With the win, Maryland improved to 16-1 on the season, while North Carolina falls to 14-2. This is Maryland’s seventh ACC title.

Top-Seeded Virginia Downs Maryland to Win ACC Championship

The top-seeded University of Virigina Cavaliers defeated the Maryland Terrapins, 10-6, Sunday at Byrd Stadium to secure their sixth ACC title.

Maryland started with three straight goals in the first eight minutes of the opening frame. But the Cavaliers weren’t down for long, rebounding with three goals of their own, led by senior midfielder Brian Carroll. Virginia went into the half with a 5-4 advantage, thanks to a goal from attackman Steele Stanwick.

Virginia goalie Adam Ghitelman had eight of his 16 saves in the first half. The junior passed his previous season-high 14 saves, set against Cornell earlier this season.

The Terps came out in the third quarter determined to tie the game and separate themselves from Virginia. Maryland junior attackman Grant Catalino tied the game at five, but it didn't last long. Stanwick scored his second goal of the day, triggering a five-goal run by the Cavaliers that stretched into the fourth quarter. Stanwick finished the day with two goals and an assist.

Maryland couldn’t find the goal again until 10 seconds left in the fourth but by that time the damage was done. Besides Stanwick, the Bratton brothers, Shamel and Rhamel, had a combined five-point day.

The No. 2-ranked Cavaliers improved to 13-1 on the season (2-1 ACC) in their 13th ACC title game appearance. This is Virginia's first title since 2006, when they defeated Maryland, 11-5, in Baltimore.

The loss gives the No. 4 Terrapins a 9-3 mark this season (1-2 ACC).

Posted on April 25, 2010 at 11:14 p.m.