Feb. 4, 2002

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The Maryland lacrosse team will get its first taste of facing an opponent other than itself in practice as Dave Cottle will lead the Terps in a pair of scrimmages this weekend in College Park.

The Terps will host Georgetown at 1 p.m. on Saturday, February 9 at the Artificial Turf Facility. Maryland will then host Division III power Washington College at noon on Sunday, February 10 also at the Artificial Turf Facility.

"It will be great to get out and face some good competition this weekend," said Cottle. "We have been working very hard and practice and will get a chance to see how we are coming along against Georgetown and Washington College.

Maryland will conclude its preseason schedule with a scrimmage against Syracuse, the preseason No. 2 team, on Saturday, February 16 at noon.

The regular-season opener is slated for February 23 against Hobart at 1 p.m. That game will be played at the Artificial Turf Facility.

Niemi Added To Staff
Graham Niemi returns to his alma mater to serve as an assistant coach in 2002. Last season, Niemi worked as an assistant coach under Dave Cottle at Loyola, helping the Greyhounds to an NCAA Tournament quarterfinal appearance.

The 1997 Maryland graduate will work primarily with face-offs and the offense this season. Prior to joining Loyola in June of 2000, Niemi was an assistant coach at Washington College serving under J.B. Clarke for the 1999 and 2000 campaigns. At Washington, Niemi was the defensive coordinator, helping the Shoremen to back-to-back NCAA Tournament berths and a 27-7 overall record. In addition, Washington enjoyed a six-week run as the No. 1 team in NCAA Division III during 1999.

Niemi began his coaching career as the defensive coordinator at Anne Arundel Community College in 1998, helping the program to the junior college national championship.

At Maryland, Niemi graduated with a bachelor of arts in government and politics. He was a four-year letterwinner for the Terps under Dick Edell (1993-96). A starter on the defensive unit and at longstick midfield for the Terps as a junior and senior, helped the squad to consecutive NCAA berths. During his junior season Maryland advanced to the national championship games against Syracuse. As a senior in 1996, Niemi won the William Cole Memorial Award as the team's top midfielder in helping the Terps back to the NCAAs.

Following his senior season, Niemi served as an assistant coach while completing his degree in 1997. That season, Maryland again advanced to the NCAA title game to face Princeton.

Yale Game Date Moved
Due to a conflict with the Maryland spring football game scheduled for April 27, Cottle has moved the Terps' game with Yale to Friday, April 26 with a 7 p.m. start time in Byrd Stadium. The game will be the Terps' senior night and final game at Byrd Stadium in 2002.

The Terps also battled Yale on a Friday night at Byrd two seasons -- a 12-9 Terps win on April 28, 2000.

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