Maryland's Kevin Cooper dodges longer suspension

Junior midfielder will sit out Saturday's home game vs. Virginia for role in fight

Maryland junior midfielder Kevin Cooper avoided a lengthy suspension for his role in an on-field fight in the Terps’ 11-10 loss to North Carolina last Saturday and will sit out Saturday’s Atlantic Coast Conference showdown with Virginia.

Cooper was ejected after fighting with Tar Heels redshirt sophomore midfielder Greg McBride with 40 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter. Per NCAA regulations, a player ejected for fighting is suspended for his team’s next game.

Maryland announced Wednesday afternoon that after further review, the ACC decided not to hand down further punishment.

Cooper, who registered three goals and six assists as a member of the second midfield, could be replaced by a teammate from a group that includes freshman Jay Carlson (10, 1), sophomore Rustin Bryant (1, 2) and freshman Joe LoCascio (1, 1).