Part of the “crew” beginning to sing 1 hour before game time.
Today was a very tough day for any Terrapin fan especially ones like myself who follow the soccer program so closely. 3 handballs in a one game and all of them missed by the referees? Are you kidding me? Then to hear Patrick Mullins admit to using his hand to help his 1st goal and emotionally apologizing for doing so was heartbreaking. But what a totally classy and honest admission by Maryland’s superstar. Here are his comments and Sasho’s post game.
On the play leading to his goal: (Patrick)
“That was definitely a crazy play. A lot of things happened in a short period of time. From what I can remember, a cross came in, our player – I’m pretty sure [Alex] Shinsky – had a great shot. It did hit the kid’s hand on the line, it bounced out, came back out and I made a mistake on my part. I’m very disappointed in myself for doing that, but in the heat of the moment, I hit it down my hand, and like any good forward, I put it in the net. That’s not who I am, and I’m very disappointed in how that play resulted. All I can control is my actions, and I’m not happy with that action. It’s definitely hard for me to swallow because I don’t think that’s the type of player I am. Obviously the referee is a great referee, and I’m sure he’ll look back unfortunately on that play, too, because it was just a lot of plays that I’m sure players and refs will want to take back. I will regret that one for the rest of my life, but I’ll move forward. People make mistakes.”
On Patrick Mullins and his admission to a handball: (Sasho)
“When we build my stadium, we’re going to bronze a statue of him in the front because he’s made of the best stuff on Earth. It affected him. It affected him a lot after that moment. We had some good talks. I think he tried to push through, and I think he did push through in true Patrick Mullins fashion. But it did affect him because he is as good as it gets. He is a very tough person, as we’ve seen throughout the year. His conscience was hurting. He put too much on himself. There were many players that had intentional handballs in the game. It’ll be a learning lesson for him, but his character shining through is worthy of a championship. He’s a special person. He represents our program well.”
Neither guilty Notre Dame player admitted their guilt but it was all there on the videotape. Here is the bottom line: the most blatant violation was committed by Notre Dame before Patrick’s goal. Play should have been halted, Maryland awarded a penalty kick, and guilty player ejected from the contest. Maryland would have been a man up for the game. But pathetic efforts from the refs changed the course and possibly the outcome of the game.
As I watched Patrick in the 2nd half, he just didn’t seem to be himself. Obviously he was affected by the play. Patrick will one day be in Maryland’s Hall of Fame, play for the USA and possibly even play in the premier league. He is that good of a player and one of the finest young gentlemen ever to wear the Maryland colors.
At the end of the day Notre Dame’s superior size did the Terps in. Goalie Zack Steffen was voted the most outstanding defensive player of the tournament. Hats off to Sasho and his guys for another tremendous season —- ACC Championship and the National runner up is a great season. But Terp Nation is still sick to its stomach today.
It was only a 90 drive to PPL Park in Philadephia but the ride home seemed much longer. The whole ride home my dislike for the ACC weighed on my mind.
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