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No. 5 Maryland Hands American Second Straight Loss
Espinal and Kinney Named to All-Tournament Team

Game Stats | September 9, 2001

COLLEGE PARK, MD -- Sumed Ibrahim scored his first career hat trick to lead No. 5 Maryland to a 5-1 win over American in the final game of the 2001 Maryland/Fila Classic.

American took an early 1-0 advantage off some confusion on the Terrapins' defensive end, with Matt Kopacka sending a through-ball to the center to Melvin Espinal, who headed it past Maryland keeper Noah Palmer at the 18:01 mark.

The Terps wouldn't let their deficit last for long, though as Ibrahim came out on top of a scramble from five yards out off a Wes Kirk feed.

Maryland took a 2-1 lead off a perfectly executed set play off a 35-yard free kick. Ibrahim tapped it to Michael Dello-Russo who back-heeled it to defender Seth Stammler for the goal at 33:11. Stammler's goal would prove to be the eventual game-winner.

Maryland added to its lead in the second half, scoring two goals off similar sequences in the 58th and 59th minute. Ibrahim got his second goal of the game off a Scott Buete cross from the left side at 58:17. Buete did it again just over a minute later, this time finding A.J. Herrera for a header from the center again to give Maryland the 4-1 lead.

Ibrahim finished the scoring action off a free kick, notching his first career hat trick when he bended a perfect strike into the left side of the net from the right side of the field.

Maryland outshot the Eagles, 18-8, this afternoon. American keeper Michael Behonick made seven saves, while Maryland keeper Noah palmer made three stops.

Espinal and midfielder Jeff Kinney were named to the All-Tournament Team.

The Eagles return to action next Saturday, Sept. 15, when they host Army in their first-ever Patriot League match. It will also be the first-ever Patriot League home event in American Athletics history. Game time is set for 2:00 p.m.