COLLEGE PARK, Md. – Each side had its chances, but neither No. 10 Stanford nor Maryland found the goal it needed in a scoreless draw on Friday night.
The match was a showcase between a pair of premier programs played in front of a crowd of over 5,800 and broadcast nationally on FS1. Stanford (0-0-2) and Maryland (0-1-0) are two of seven men's college soccer programs with at least three NCAA titles.
With the game opening up in the second half, both teams nearly scored their first goal of the season at the end of regulation. First it was Andrew Thomas' time to shine for the Cardinal when the Terrapins' Justin Gielen danced his way through a pair of defenders to get the ball on his right boot. Gielen launched a low shot at the far post that Stanford's keeper nicked with his right hand to send wide of the goal.
Stanford saved its clean sheet and then nearly ended it late in the 90th minute. Charlie Wehan took it to the endline and cut the ball back to Amir Bashti at the top of the six. Bashti fell backwards and was unable to generate much force on his shot, which was sent out by Maryland, but not to a safe area. Derek Waldeck pounced on the attempted clearance and clipped it to the middle of the box and Will Richmond. Richmond fired one off right to Terrapin goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair who was in position for the save.
Oh so close at the end of regulation. ??????
— Stanford Men's Soccer (@StanfordMSoccer) September 1, 2018
Catch overtime on @FS1.#GoStanford pic.twitter.com/93rYzl62XR
Friday's result extended Stanford's unbeaten streak to 17 matches, the second-longest stretch in program history. Andrew Thomas collected the shutout in his second start and upped the Cardinal's active shutout streak to 909:15 and its shutout streak in open play to 1,143:02.
78' | Andrew Thomas comes up big.
— Stanford Men's Soccer (@StanfordMSoccer) August 31, 2018
Stanford 0 - Maryland 0#GoStanford pic.twitter.com/QiETg0uX8o
Maryland had another opportunity with a free kick from just outside the 18 early in the second half when Tanner Beason was shown a yellow. Stanford's wall did the job, blocked the ball wide and the Terrapins' couldn't connect on their ensuing corner.
In the 34th minute Ryan Ludwick generated a scoring chance for the Cardinal when he raced down the right side and put in a dangerous cross to the far post. Bashti slid behind his defender and nearly knocked it in with his left boot, but ended up inches away from slotting it home.
The Cardinal continues its road trip on Monday when it plays at Georgetown (2-1-0) at 10 a.m. PT/1 p.m. ET.