Three Away Games Await No. 6 Maryland Over Next Two Weeks
10/8/2002 8:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Oct. 8, 2002
COLLEGE PARK, Md. -
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The sixth-ranked Terps (9-2, 3-1 ACC) travel to nearby Georgetown (4-6) on Wednesday, Oct. 9, for a 3 p.m. tilt with the Hoyas. "BIG EAST" week continues for the Terps when they travel to Connecticut Saturday, Oct. 12 to meet the No. 7 Huskies at 7 p.m.
All-Time Series vs. Georgetown and Connecticut
Against the Terps' two BIG EAST opponents this week, Maryland owns a combined 27-1-0 record.
Maryland vs. Georgetown: The Terps own a lopsided 22-0 lead against the Hoyas in the series. The last time the two teams met was in 1994 in the NCAA Tournament when Maryland beat the home-team Hoyas 4-3. The last regular season meeting between the two was more than 15 years ago in 1986. Maryland also won that match-up 5-0. The Georgetown series began in 1952.
Maryland vs. Connecticut: In another series that is being revived this season, Maryland leads UCONN 5-1 in the all-time series. The last time the two met was also in Storrs, Conn., on Sept. 3, 1995 when Maryland beat host Connecticut 5-1. The Huskies only loss in the series which dates back to 1950 is a 1-0 Connecticut win in the 1960 NCAA semifinals at Brooklyn.
Awakening the Ghosts of 1968
The No. 6 Terps' 9-2 start is the team's best start since 1968 when Maryland captured a share of the NCAA championship. Maryland finished the 1968 season undefeated at 14-0-1. The Terps' only tie came in the championship game, a 2-2 deadlock with Michigan State to split the crown that year.
Terps Now NSCAA's No. 6
The University of Maryland men's soccer team rose as high as No. 4 in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) poll two weeks ago, but fell back to No. 6 again with their 3-0 loss to then-No. 8 Wake Forest on Sept. 27. The Terps stayed at No. 6 this week, and have spent the last five weeks in the poll's Top 10. Five of Maryland's opponents this season are ranked in the current poll, including three ACC teams.
UM started the season 10th in the NSCAA preseason poll, but fell out of the rankings after a one-goal loss to then-No. 20 Kentucky at the Virginia Soccer Classic during week one of the season. They rose to No. 10 again the week of Sept. 9, up to No. 6 the week of Sept. 16, and up to No. 4 on Sept. 23 before landing at No. 6 in last week's poll and remaining there this week.
UM vs. Ranked Opponents
The game against Connecticut this week will mark the fourth time Maryland will face an opponent ranked in the NSCAA's Top 25 this season. The Terps are now 2-2 against ranked opponents after the 3-0 loss to then-No. 8 Wake when the Terps were ranked No. 4. Then-No. 5 Maryland beat then-No. 20 Duke 3-0 on Sept. 22 to raise it's ranked vs. the rankeds to 2-1. In their first meeting with a ranked team on Sept. 1, then-No. 20 Kentucky upset the Terps 2-1 at the Virginia Soccer Classic when Maryland was ranked No. 10. The Terps then met No. 8 Loyola on Sept. 11, earning a commanding 3-1 win over the Greyhounds also when Maryland was ranked No. 10.
Maryland Offense No. 6
Averaging 3.09 goals per game, the Maryland offense is ranked sixth this week among NCAA Division I programs. UC-Santa Barbara leads the list, averaging 3.56 goals per game. The Terrapins are the highest scoring offense in the ACC, with Clemson next in line at No. 13 nationally. Thus far, the No. 9 Tigers are averaging 2.78 goals per game.
Maryland is Tops in This Week's Regional Rankings
Maryland remains at the top of the South Atlantic Region's rankings for the fourth week in a row. The Terps are followed in the top five by, in rank order, American, Virginia, George Mason and Virginia Commonwealth.
Cirovski In 10th Year at UM- Nearing 150 Career Wins
The 2002 season marks the 10th year that head coach Sasho Cirovski has guided the Terrapin men's soccer program. The Terps' bench boss has piloted the program to a 120-72-9 record during his 10 years in College Park. Cirovski, a 1986 graduate of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, is entering his 12th year overall and has a 148-84-15 career record.
Under Cirovski, the Terrapins have over 100 wins, a 1998 appearance in the national semifinals, and eight NCAA appearances. Maryland won the 1996 ACC Championship and has had numerous Terrapins sign professional contracts in the United States and abroad.
Points Aplenty
Eleven games into the season, Maryland is not only displaying a talented attack, but a diverse attack, as well. The Terps had the No. 6 offense heading into the week, averaging 3.09 goals per game. Five Terrapins have scored four or more goals this season, with 12 different Terps finding the back of the net. All told, 15 Maryland players have contributed to the offense this season.
