One Game

Maryland coach John Tillman did not hide his displeasure over Kevin Cooper's role in an on-field fracas with North Carolina redshirt sophomore midfielder Greg McBride in the fourth quarter of the Terps' eventual 11-10 loss on March 24. The fisticuffs resulted in one-game suspensions for both players. But Tillman also praised the junior midfielder for his attitude in the aftermath of the scuffle. “How he's responded has been very positive,” Tillman said Tuesday. “The apologies to [Tar Heels]

One of the reasons why Towson struggled to average 7.9 goals per game last season was the team's inability to force opposing goalkeepers to make saves. The offense scored just 102 times off 430 shots last spring, succeeding just 23. 7 percent of the time. The Tigers may be putting that memory in the rearview mirror after scoring 12 goals on 27 shots in a two-goal win against Jacksonville in both teams' season openers last Saturday. Converting 44.4 percent of the shots was a relief for coach Shawn Nadelen.

The banner stands about 70 feet high behind the far goal posts at the Ravens' indoor practice facility. Outlined in purple and black, a replica of the Lombardi Trophy looms overhead, serving as a daily reminder of what the Ravens are perennially after. The real thing won't be presented for another five weeks, but to a man, the Ravens say that their run to that elusive second Super Bowl trophy starts Sunday afternoon when they face the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium in one of the bigger regular-season finales in team history.

The C. Milton Wright Mustangs went into Tuesday's Class 3A State Semifinal softball match-up knowing that the odds were stacked against them, as they would need to beat the undefeated Northern Patriots if they wanted to stamp their tickets to a second straight state championship appearance. Though they ended up losing 4-1 to the Patriots, for the game's first four innings, the Mustangs were neck-and-neck with the reigning 3A champs. In Tuesday's contest, a rematch from last year's 3A title game, which CMW lost 11-0, the Mustangs had their only scoring rally during their first at bat, with Jessica Canami starting things by taking a pitch off her body.

Ravens offensive line coach Andy Moeller was sentenced to two years of supervised probation after being found guilty of driving while impaired by alcohol and likely will receive further punishment from the NFL. Moeller, 47, is expected to get suspended for at least one game as well as fined, according to a source. An NFL spokesman said Moeller's situation is being reviewed under the personal conduct policy. District Judge Dorothy Wilson ordered Moeller to abstain from alcohol and continue his rehabilitation, which includes two Alcohol Anonymous meetings a week, random drug testing and direct reports to the court every 60 days.

The Blast cemented its hold on first place in the Major Indoor Soccer League on Friday night with a hard-earned 14-10 victory over the Omaha Vipers at 1st Mariner Arena . It was the sixth consecutive win for the Blast (12-3), which can go a long way toward clinching the regular-season title Sunday by beating second-place Milwaukee. Baltimore leads the Wave, which plays the Chicago Riot on Saturday night, by a game. Omaha (7-10) didn't make it easy. It wasn't until veteran Pat Morris scored his second goal with less than four minutes remaining in regulation that the outcome was all but assured.

Ray Rice is zeroing in on a remarkable feat for a running back. He has yet to fumble this year with one game left in the regular season. He has yet to put the ball on the ground despite touching the ball 350 times this season (287 carries and 63 receptions). When asked about the streak, Rice said, "Where is the wood at? I'm going to go find me some wood to knock on. " Rice's run is more unbelievable when looking around the league. There are 13 running backs who have carried the ball more than 220 times this season, and Rice is the only one who hasn't fumbled.

T he Ravens, who finished 5-11 the previous season, reached the AFC championship game last January before suffering a bitter loss at the hands of their biggest rivals. It was cold (the wind chill was 15 degrees) at Heinz Field on Jan. 18, and the Steelers harassed rookie quarterback Joe Flacco into throwing three interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown by safety Troy Polamalu after the Ravens had closed to within 16-14. WHAT HAPPENED: Led by a rookie head coach and rookie quarterback, the Ravens went further than anyone could have imagined.

Steve Goins , a little-used and often-injured sophomore center for Maryland, was suspended for violating an athletic department class attendance policy, according to a statement released Friday night by the athletic department. Goins was not on the bench during an 82-55 win over New Hampshire at Comcast Center. But coach Gary Williams said after the game that Goins, who recently resumed practicing with the team after missing time because of a knee injury, would accompany the team to Hawaii and, if healthy, could play in the Maui Invitational beginning Monday.

Towson found itself in the daunting position Saturday of scrambling to find healthy bodies against Colonial Athletic Association foe Villanova, which was charged after last week's victory over the then-No. 1 team in the Football Championship Subdivision. The No. 3 Wildcats kept the momentum going by routing the Tigers, 49-7, before an announced 5,339 in the final home game at Johnny Unitas Stadium. Towson is 2-8 overall and 1-6 in the conference heading into Saturday's regular-season finale at James Madison.