DALLAS - The Maryland men's soccer team's dream to bring back the school's second national championship ended yesterday amid a storm of controversy.

Terrapins coach Sasho Cirovski was issued a red card and was not around to see UCLA junior Adolfo Gregorio drill home a penalty shot with a little more than eight minutes to play. That goal sent the third-seeded Bruins to a 2-1 victory over second-seeded Maryland before 7,025 in the semifinals of the College Cup at Gerald J. Ford Stadium on the campus of Southern Methodist University.

The Bruins (17-3-3), who also got a goal at the 74:44 mark from junior Matt Taylor, advanced to tomorrow's 4:30 p.m. final against Stanford, which beat Creighton, 2-1, in two overtimes last night.

"I'm just really proud of our team," said Cirovski, who was ushered to the locker room because of what was later described as foul and abusive language to the assistant referee.

"I thought we played a great second half and were in control of the game, but unfortunately some things didn't go our way and they made the most of their chances."

The NCAA prohibits players and coaches from commenting on the officiating, and Cirovski adhered to that policy, saying: "I'm not at liberty to discuss the officiating; I'll leave that up to you [reporters]."

But the timing of the card seemed to suggest that Cirovski was angered by a no-call inside the UCLA box. Terps sophomore Domenic Mediate, the hero in the Terps' three NCAA victories to this point, got free inside the box, but he fell down after a collision with a Bruins defender.

With several Terps arguing with referee Bob Martinez, the Bruins worked the ball down the right wing to Gregorio, who took on two defenders and angled a ball across the box. Taylor outraced his defender to the far post and one-timed it home. That was the last play Cirovski would see from the sideline.

"It happens in soccer all the time when a dramatic moment happens and perhaps the team that thought they should've gotten something at one point ends up getting scored on," said Bruins first-year coach Tom Fitzgerald.

With their coach in the locker room, the Terps (20-5), who followed up a poor first half with an inspired effort in the second, didn't fret.

Junior midfielder Sumed Ibrahim, who was ineffective for most of the game, tied the score on a brilliant goal at the 80:47 mark. He took a feed from Scott Buete along the right side of the box, split two defenders and fired a left-footed shot past UCLA goalie Zach Wells.

"Once Coach got kicked out of the game, the assistant coaches told me to go back in the game and make something happen," Sumed said.

But just a 1:12 after Sumed's equalizer, Taylor got free inside the box and ripped a shot off the chest of Terps goalie Noah Palmer. The ball bounced to Cliff McKinley, who tried to dribble around Palmer but made contact with the goalie and fell down.

The Terps' goalie protested vehemently before and after Gregorio slotted the penalty kick in the open side with Palmer guessing the other way.

"I thought I got my hand on the ball before his leg, but the ref didn't see it that way," he said.

Maryland pressed after the goal, but it could manage only a Mediate shot that sailed harmlessly over the bar.

Meanwhile, the Bruins celebrated their seventh trip to the finals. It was Maryland's seventh trip to the national semifinals.

"It's been the best year for Maryland soccer in the last 34 years," Cirovski said. "We've won more games, scored more goals, allowed fewer goals, committed fewer fouls, collected the least yellow cards in the country. Our motto is to play like champions, and one day we will be champions."

UCLA 0 2 - 2

Maryland 0 1 - 1

Goals: UCLA-Gregorio, Taylor; M-Sumed. Assist: UCLA-Gregorio. Saves: UCLA-Wells 5; M-Palmer 2. Shots: UCLA 10, M 14. Corner kicks: UCLA 4, M 1.

Soccer final 4, Site:Gerald J. Ford Stadium, Dallas

Yesterday's semifinals:

UCLA 2, Maryland 1

Stanford 2, Creighton 1, 2OT

Tomorrow's final:

UCLA (17-3-3) vs. Stanford (18-4-2), 4:30 p.m., ESPN2