Patrick Stevens The Washington Times - May 16, 2009, 01:05PM

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. —- There were a handful of things Maryland pretty much had to do to have a chance to beat Syracuse this afternoon. Let’s review them:

* Sound goalie play

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Neither Brian Phipps (before his left knee injury) nor Jason Carter has been lights out. But neither has stunk, either. A better Carter in the second half would help, but it’s not an obvious issue.

* Extra-man efficiency

The Terps went 1-for-2 in the first half while a man up, scoring late in the first half. Maryland would be wise not to squander any more extra-man chances.

* Manageable score

The Terps probably aren’t winning if Syracuse gets too deep into double digits. With the Orange on pace for 10 goals, this went right.

* Avoid transition

So far, so good for the Terps, who have limited their turnovers. Playing pitch and catch less with goalie Al Cavalieri would help, but this hasn’t been a full-field game.

* No fluke Orange goals

Kenny Nims scored Syracuse’s fifth goal after the ball squirted out of the scrum and went right to him on the crease. Carter (and no other goalie) had a prayer. Syracuse is too good to hand any gimme goals.

Maryland still has a chance to win, but the three-goal output in the first half wasn’t promising. The question always was whether Maryland could keep up. So far, the Terps haven’t quite measured up on offense.

—- Patrick Stevens