The No. 4 Maryland men's soccer team needed only 22 seconds to net its first of four goals in a 4-0 rout of Stanford in front of 7,178 fans at Ludwig Field Friday night.

The crowd, which ranked as the second most in Ludwig Field history, and a live Fox Soccer Channel audience were treated to four first half goals by the Terps (3-0-0), including two from senior Casey Townsend.

Sophomore forward Patrick Mullins started the night off with a bang after receiving a pass from John Stertzer just after the opening kickoff. Mullins slashed through the attacking third and beat Stanford goalkeeper Jason Dodson from the top of the 18 yard box to put the Terps ahead in the first minute.

Maryland was far from finished as Townsend doubled the Maryland lead only 10 minutes later. The crafty forward created space on the left side of the box and ripped a left-footed shot past Dodson.

The Terps carried their relentless offensive assault into the 28th minute after winning a free kick 30 yards out. Norwegian sophomore Helge Leikvang bent a beautiful ball into the side netting on a one-step shot to score his first goal of the season and put Maryland ahead by three.

Unyielding, Maryland added a fourth goal only two minutes later. Townsend struck gold again with a top-shelf laser in the 30th minute to put a cap on the rout, 4-0.

Stanford (0-2-0) tightened its screws in the second half, but was thwarted time and time again by a stifling Maryland defense that allowed senior goalkeeper Will Swaim to earn his second shutout of the season without having to make a single save.

The four first half goals were the most for the Terrapins since scoring four on September 15, 2009 against Duquesne in a 7-0 drubbing. Ironically, Townsend scored two first half goals in that match as well.

"It was phenomenal crowd and a phenomenal first half by our team," head coach Sasho Cirovski, who tallied career win No. 299 Friday, said. "The second half was as expected. They were going to come out flying because that is a proud team and a very good team. Our guys stood tall again and now it's on to Sunday.

"I was hoping for a record (crowd) but we have another opportunity later this year with some big Friday night games. To have all the students and all the support was just wonderful. It's one of those things that just make you so proud."

Maryland will seek its fourth win of the year when Radford visits Ludwig Field Sunday at 7 p.m.

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