The fourth time was a charm for Maryland. After three straight trips to the men's soccer semifinals failed to produce a title for the Terrapins, a single goal was all Maryland needed to win its second Men's College Cup December 11 in Cary, North Carolina.

Matt Burch connected on a free kick midway through the first half of the title game to give the Terrapins a 1-0 win over first-time Cup finalist New Mexico. Maryland had advanced to the semifinals in each of the last three years but came up short each time, losing last year to eventual champion Indiana in double overtime.

It was the second title for the Terrapins (19-4-2), but first since 1968 when they shared the title with Michigan State after the final ended in a tie after two overtimes. Maryland finished second in 1960 and 1962.

Burch converted the decisive goal after a foul on New Mexico's David Gualdarama gave the Terrapins a free kick. Burch's kick deflected off a New Mexico defender and caught New Mexico goalkeeper Mike Graczyk leaning the wrong way.

The championship game was a battle of the tournament's top two seeded teams, but both squandered several scoring opportunities. New Mexico had a chance early in the second half on a penalty kick, but Maryland goalkeeper Chris Seitz blocked Andrew Boyens' point-blank attempt and Boyens fired high on the rebound. Maryland missed a chance later when Jason Garey overshot the goal after a scramble in front of the net.

"I was proud of the way we played," said Maryland head coach Sasho Cirovski. "The national championship game is not always going to be the most artistic game, and yet we tried to attack, we tried to get chances, we tried to play the right way. I'm really proud of that.

"I need to congratulate New Mexico on a great season and a great ascension into the elite ranks of college soccer because they're going to be a program that's going to be around for a long time. They have great fans, they have great coaches and they have great players. We look forward to playing them in the future."

New Mexico's 18-2-3 slate is the most successful in school history. The seniors on the squad went 61-16-8 and advanced to the NCAA tournament three times (2002, 2004, 2005). The 2001 New Mexico team was the first to participate in NCAA postseason play.

Maryland's Garey was named the tournament's most outstanding offensive player after scoring twice in a 15-second span in the Terrapins' semifinal game against Southern Methodist to break open a tight match and lead the Terps to a 4-1 win.

New Mexico won its semifinal over Clemson, 2-1, when Boyens scored in the 63rd minute to break a 1-1 tie. The Lobos had won their three previous tournament games in overtime or on penalty kicks.

Others on the all-tournament team were Maryland goalkeeper Seitz, who was named the tournament's most outstanding defensive player, and Maryland players Robbie Rogers, A.J. Godbolt and Michael Dello-Russo. Boyens, Graczyk and Lance Watson were selected from New Mexico. Dane Richards and Justin Moore were selected from Clemson, and Paulo da Silva represented Southern Methodist on the elite squad.

Quarterfinals

Maryland 1, Akron 1 (2 ot) (Maryland advances on penalty kicks, 4-1); Southern Methodist 3, North Carolina 2 (ot); Clemson 1, Creighton 0; New Mexico 1, California 0.

Semifinals

First half: NM -- Brandon Barklage (Andrew Boyens and Lance Watson),19:23; C -- Dane Richards (unassisted), 39:23.

Second half: NM -- Andrew Boyens (David Gualdarama), 62:23.

Shots: Clemson 7, New Mexico 8. Goalkeeper saves: Clemson (Phil Marfuggi) 2, New Mexico (Mike Graczyk) 1. Corner kicks: Clemson 5, New Mexico 4. Fouls: Clemson 15, New Mexico 23.

First half: M -- Graham Zusi (David Glaudemans), 43:15.

Second half: M -- Jason Garey (A.J. Godbolt, Robbie Rogers), 46:41; M -- Jason Garey (Maurice Edu): 46:56; M -- Stephen King (penalty kick), 49:01; SM -- Paulo da Silva (Bruno Guarda), 54:27.

Shots: Southern Methodist 7, Maryland 13. Goalkeeper saves: Southern Methodist (Matt Wideman) 4, Maryland (Chris Seitz) 5. Corner kicks: Southern Methodist 3, Maryland 4. Fouls: Southern Methodist 17, Maryland 14.

Championship game

First half: M -- Marc Burch (unassisted), 30:33.

Shots: New Mexico 11. Maryland 19. Goalkeeper saves: New Mexico (Mike Graczyk) 7, Maryland (Chris Seitz) 3. Corner kicks: New Mexico 5, Maryland 10. Fouls: New Mexico 18, Maryland 24.