Briefs | Soccer: Maryland captures NCAA men's championship

Soccer

Terrapins defeat North Carolina in final: Midfielder Graham Zusi has been a member of Maryland's two NCAA men's championship teams in the last four years. He said the latest one was the sweetest.

Zusi's second-half goal gave second-seeded Maryland a 1-0 victory over 13th-seeded North Carolina in the NCAA College Cup championship match Sunday in Frisco, Texas.

Maryland (23-3-0) took the title in 2005 when Zusi was a freshman who sometimes contributed off the bench. This time, Zusi was one of the Terrapins' senior leaders.

In Friday's semifinal round, Zusi scored in extra time to beat St. John's 1-0.

Maryland beat North Carolina (15-8-1) for the third time in three meetings this season.

Chelsea, West Ham tie: Nicolas Anelka scored his 14th goal of the season to save Chelsea from an embarrassing home defeat to West Ham and earn a 1-1 draw in the English Premier League. Chelsea has 37 points, one behind league-leading Liverpool.

Gamba Osaka advances: Yasuhito Endo scored the lone goal to lead Gamba Osaka of Japan to a 1-0 victory over Adelaide United of Australia and a semifinal showdown Thursday with Manchester United of England at the Club World Cup in Toyota, Japan.

Pachuca of Mexico will face Liga de Quito of Ecuador on Wednesday in the other semifinal match.

NHL

Avery lasts 23 games with Stars: Sean Avery's days with the Dallas Stars are apparently over.

Although the combative forward was eligible to return from a six-game suspension Sunday, the Stars instead announced they are through with Avery.

"All parties said there is a clear understanding that a return to the Stars is not in the best interest of either the hockey club or Avery," the team said in a news release.

Avery — a two-time league leader in penalty minutes who delights in being called the NHL's most-hated player — was suspended by commissioner Gary Bettman hours after he made a crude remark about ex-girlfriends dating other players. The Stars were in Calgary, Alberta, and Flames defenseman Dion Phaneuf is dating actress Elisha Cuthbert. Avery previously dated supermodel-actress Rachel Hunter, who is dating Jarret Stoll of the Los Angeles Kings.

Avery could be traded, sent to the minors or bought out next summer. The team said it will work with Avery to try make this an amicable divorce.

Avery is at an undisclosed location, seeking treatment through a program set up by the players association. When he was suspended, Avery told the Stars he needed help dealing with anger issues.

Avery, 28, lasted 23 games in Dallas after being signed for $15.5 million and four years.

Canucks prevail: Pavol Demitra scored twice and the host Vancouver Canucks overcame a two-goal deficit to beat the Florida Panthers 5-3. The Panthers scored the first two goals of the game.

Darcy Hordichuk, Kyle Wellwood and Ryan Kesler also scored for the Canucks.

Arena Football League

Board votes to cancel 2009 season: The Arena Football League's board of directors voted to cancel the 2009 season, pending the approval of the league's players' association today, according to Cleveland Gladiators owner James L. Ferraro.

League officials reportedly plan to reorganize and have a 2010 season. "This is the farthest thing from the league folding," Ferraro said.

Gymnastics

Cheng wins her second gold medal: Cheng Fei won her second gold medal at the World Cup Final in Madrid, Spain, capping a spectacular year for China's gymnasts.

Cheng, already a winner on vault, took the floor exercise title, giving China five of 10 gold medals at the two-day World Cup Final.

Horse racing

Peppers Pride stays perfect: Unbeaten Peppers Pride extended her North American Thoroughbred modern record for consecutive victories to 19 when she took the $125,000 New Mexico State Racing Commission Handicap by 5-¾ lengths over Negotiablafections at Sunland Park.

Joel Marr trains 5-year-old mare Peppers Pride, who paid $3.80 to win.

Seattle Times news services