Terps' Higgins-Cirovski Seeks 100th Coaching Win at Rutgers In TV Game
9/3/2002 8:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Sept. 3, 2002
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MARYLAND (1-1) at RUTGERS (1-0-1)
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2002 * 7:00 p.m.
YURCAK FIELD (5,000/Grass), NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J.
Game Coverage: CN8-TV (Replays: Sat. at 7 p.m./Sun. at 1 p.m.)
VA. COMMONWEALTH (2-0) at MARYLAND (1-1)
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2002 * 5:30 p.m.
LUDWIG FIELD (4,000/Grass), COLLEGE PARK, MD.
Game Coverage: WMUC (88.1 FM) and wmucsports.com
Higgins-Cirovski Seeks 100th Coaching Win at Rutgers In TV Game
* Maryland women's soccer coach and 2002 National Soccer Hall of Fame inductee Shannon Higgins-Cirovski is going for her 100th career coaching victory this weekend as the Terps play a pair of games. Maryland travels to Rutgers this Friday night, Sept. 6 for a 7 p.m. match and the Terps return to Ludwig Field for their 2002 home opener this Sunday, Sept. 8 at 5:30 p.m. Higgins-Cirovski enters the weekend with a career record of 99-88-14 (.527) after the Terps split two games at the 2002 UConn Classic. Maryland beat Fordham 5-0 in the opener and fell to No. 9 Connecticut, 3-1 last Sunday.
* Friday's game against the nationally-ranked Scarlet Knights will be re-broadcast on CN8 television across the Mid-Atlantic Region. The game will be shown twice on a tape-delayed basis this weekend in Maryland (Howard and Anne Arundel Counties), New Jersey and parts of Pennsylvania and New York. The game will be aired on Saturday, Sept. 7 at 7 p.m. and again on Sunday, Sept. 8 at 1 p.m. Please call you local cable provider for find out if you receive CN8. The channel is not available via satellite. Play-by-play will be handled by Bob Lampinen and color commentary will be provided by former Seton Hall soccer coach Jimmy Harrison.
* Sunday, Maryland will open its 2002 home schedule as the Terps host Virginia Commonwealth at 5:30 p.m. The game will conclude a triple-header of soccer as the men's soccer team hosts the final day of action at the 2002 Maryland/FILA Classic. Penn State will play Virginia at noon, followed by the Maryland men against the VCU men at 2:30 p.m.
Three Jersey Girls Return Home
* A trio of Terps return to their home state this Friday as Maryland travels up the New Jersey Turnpike to face Rutgers (Katie Ludwig, Jennifer Lovecchio and Simone Dekker).
* Maryland junior forward Katie Ludwig is a native of Mount Laurel, N.J. and attended Lenape Regional High School in Medford. Ludwig was a first-team New Jersey selection and a NSCAA All-American as a senior in 1999. She was a part of New Jersey's ODP Program for five years. She played for the Medford Strikers club team for six years in leading the team to back-to-back state club titles in 1997 and 1998.
* Fellow Terp and former club teammate Jen Lovecchio makes her home in Vineland, N.J. and went to Vineland High School. Lovecchio was a member of the all-New Jersey second team as a junior and senior and earned All-South Jersey honors in 1999. She joined Ludwig on the Medford Strikers from 1997 through 2000 and helped the team to its two club titles. Lovecchio was also on the New Jersey ODP Select team from 1992-1997.
* Freshman midfielder Simone Dekker came to the Terps from Ringwood, N.J., where she played at Immaculate Heart Academy in Washington Township. Dekker was selected to the New Jersey State Soccer Coaches All-State team as a junior and senior. She played for the New Jersey ODP in 2000 and 2001.
High School Mates Face Off
* Against Rutgers, three Terps will be going up against former high school teammates. Maryland's Kimmy Francis (Richboro, Pa.) and Rutgers' Courtney Hudson both played their high school ball at Council Rock High in Newtown, Pennsylvania. The Terps' Lindsay Givens (Downingtown, Pa.) played with the Knights' Tiffany Williams at Downingtown Senior High in Pennsylvania. Also, Simone Dekker of Maryland and Shannon Evans of Rutgers played at Immaculate Heart in New Jersey.
Trio Named To UConn Classic All-Tournament Team
* Three Terps were named to the 2002 UConn Classic All-Tournament team as Maryland beat Fordham 5-0 and fell to No. 9 Connecticut last weekend. Junior captain Lindsay Givens (Downingtown, Pa.) was honored for her solid defensive play throughout the weekend. Redshirt freshman Kimmy Francis (Richboro, Pa.) earned the honors after three assists including two against Fordham. Freshman defender Mallory Mahar (Medina, Ohio) was named after she had a goal and two assists. Mahar collected her first college goal on a header off a corner kick from Francis against the Rams and added another assist against UConn when she headed another Francis corner which was deflected in by Audra Poulin (Silver Spring, Md.)
The Maryland-Rutgers Series
* Since the Maryland-Rutgers series was renewed three years ago, Maryland has won each of the matches. Winning 2-0 in 1999, 1-0 in 2000 and 3-2 in overtime last season. Overall, the Terps have won three of the fourth games in the series with Rutgers winning way back in 1989, 6-1 at the WAGS Tournament in Fort Belvoir, Va.
* In last season's dramatic game, midfielder Jen Biscoe (Baltimore, Md.) headed home a corner kick in the first overtime to lift Maryland to a 3-2 win at Ludwig Field. In the game, Rutgers came back twice to tie the game after Maryland had taken a one-goal lead (1-0 and 2-1). The Terps jumped on a top 1-0 as Audra Poulin scored on a point-blank shot from five years out off a pass from Dana Jarzyniecki (Rochester, N.Y) in the 28th minute. The Knights' Samantha Swerdloff tied the game in the 43rd minute on a header. Maryland regained the lead as Courtney Beirne headed home a cross from Kim King (Media, Pa.) in the 62nd minute. Jarzyniecki was also credited with an assist on that goal. Rutgers came back to tie the game in the 87th minute as Carli Lloyd scored on a header off a free kick with 3:35 left in regulation.
* In the team's only other game at Yurcak Field, Maryland opened the 2000 season with a 1-0 victory as Carly Viher (Mentor, Ohio) scored on a header off a pass from Jarzyniecki.
* In the 1999 match, Maryland picked up a 2-0 victory. Lindsay Givens was credited with an assist in that game.
UM-Rutgers Series
Oct. 7, 1989 Rutgers 6, Maryland 1
Oct. 8, 1999 Maryland 2, Rutgers 0
Aug. 25, 2000 No. 23 Maryland 1, Rutgers 0
Oct. 24, 2001 Maryland 3, Rutgers 2 (OT)
Terps Vs. Rutgers (G-A-Pts.)
Dana Jarzyniecki 0-3-3
Jen Biscoe 1-0-2
Audra Poulin 1-0-2
Carly Viher 1-0-2
Lindsay Givens 0-1-1
Kim King 0-1-1
The Maryland-Virginia Commonwealth Series
* Sunday's game will be the first between Maryland and Virginia Commonwealth in both team's history.
* Maryland has a 27-20-2 record all-time against the current members of the Colonial Athletic Association with winning records against Delaware (4-0), Towson (3-0), Old Dominion (1-0), James Madison (8-4-1) and George Mason (7-5-1).
Playing The Best
* Maryland will take on 12 teams that played in last season's Women's College Cup including three teams that advanced to the NCAA national quarterfinals including runner-up North Carolina. In addition to the Tar Heels, Maryland will also take on 2001 NCAA qualifiers (Clemson, Connecticut, Duke, Florida State, Loyola, Notre Dame, Penn State, Rutgers, Virginia, Wake Forest and William & Mary). Of those 12 teams, eight were ranked in the top 20 of the final NSCAA poll.
* "The only way to be the best is to play the best," said head coach Shannon Higgins-Cirovski. "We have added high caliber teams such as Connecticut, Notre Dame and Penn State to go along with the challenging ACC schedule. I think we have one of the best schedules in the country.
* In taking on No. 9 UConn last Sunday, Maryland got a quick taste of what much of its season will be like -- games against top ranked teams. Once again, Higgins-Cirovski has scheduled one of the nation's competitive schedules. The Terps take on eight teams in the preseason NSCAA poll including five in the top nine. The Terps face No. 2 North Carolina (Nov. 1), No. 6 Virginia (Oct. 11), No. 7 Notre Dame (Sept. 15), No. 8 Penn State (Oct. 8), No. 9 Connecticut (Sept. 1), No. 14 Clemson (Oct. 20), No. 17 Florida State (Oct. 25) and No. 19 Rutgers (Sept. 6).
* In the preseason Soccer America poll, nine Terp opponents are also ranked: No. 1 North Carolina, No. 4 Virginia, No. 6 Penn State, No. 8 Notre Dame, No. 13 Florida State, No. 16 Clemson, No. 19 Connecticut, No. 21 Duke and No. 24 Rutgers.
* In the preseason Soccer Buzz poll, seven Terp foes are ranked: No. 2 North Carolina, No. 4 Virginia, No. 6 Penn State, No. 7 Notre Dame, No. 10 Florida State, No. 15 Rutgers and No. 16 Clemson.
* During each of Higgins-Cirovski's season at Maryland, she has led the Terps to at least one upset of a top-10 ranked team, leading Maryland to a 4-3 win at No. 9 Duke on Sept. 19, 1999 and a 2-1 victory over Clemson on Oct. 17, 1999; a 3-1 win over No. 4 Penn State on Aug. 29 and a 1-0 overtime over No. 8 Clemson, last season on Oct. 13.
Terps In Season Openers
* Maryland holds an 9-7 record in season openers, dating back to 1987 -- after the 5-0 win over Fordham on Aug. 30.
* The Terps have won their last four season openers -- three away from home -- defeating George Washington, 2-0 on Aug. 29, 1999, in Shannon Higgins-Cirovski's Maryland coaching debut. They also won the 2000 opener, 1-0 at Rutgers on Carly Viher's first-career goal. In last season's opener, the Terps topped Towson, 3-0 on, Aug. 31, 2001 as Katie Ludwig scored twice and Lindsay Givens was credited with her first career goal. Ali Wolff posted the shutout, giving Maryland four straight season-opening shutouts -- all under Higgins-Cirovski.
* The Terps are 9-5 in home openers. Maryland has won seven straight home openers, dating back to 1994. Over that four-game stretch the Terps have outscored their opponents, 29-4.
2002 Captains
* Maryland will have a trio of juniors serve as team captains this season: midfielder Jen Biscoe (Baltimore, Md.) and defenders Lindsay Givens (Downingtown, Pa.) and Carly Viher (Mentor, Ohio). Givens served as a captain last season along with graduated goalkeeper Ali Wolff. Biscoe and Givens were both named to the NSCAA Mid-Atlantic team for last season. Viher returns to action this season after sitting out last year as suffering a torn ACL just prior to the start of the year.
Higgins-Cirovski Heads for Hall Of Fame
* The National Soccer Hall of Fame announced on June 24, 2002, the selection of three champion midfielders slated for induction into the Hall of Fame in 2002. Current Maryland women's soccer head coach and 1991 Women's World Cup champion Shannon Higgins-Cirovski, former NASL/Cosmos star Vladislav "Bogie" Bogicevic and veterans U.S. men's captain Adolph Bachmeier will be inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame in Oneonta, N.Y. on October 14, 2002.
* "These great midfielders represent three distinct eras in U.S. soccer history," said National Soccer Hall of Fame President Will Lunn. "Bachmeier captained the U.S. during the difficult building period of the 1960's and 70's, Bogicevic was a star with the Cosmos of the North American Soccer League of the 1970's and 80's and Higgins was the standout midfielder for the U.S in the 1980's and early 90's and a key to the USA's victory at the first FIFA Women's World Championship in 1991. We look forward to welcoming them into the Hall of Fame and honoring their accomplishments."
* Higgins-Cirovski, who starred collegiately at the University of North Carolina is just the third women to enter the Hall as a player (joining April Heinrichs and Carin Jennings-Gabarra) and is the youngest person to enter the hall at just 34 years old.
* "This really puts what being a pioneer is, into perspective," said Higgins-Cirovski. "It is truly an amazing honor, obviously as you move past your playing days and reflect on them, they seem to move further away. It is so nice of the committee to recognize my accomplishments. To think of all of the players that I watched, such as Bogicevic and other Hall of Famers ... to be joining them is such an honor."
Media Information
* WMUC Radio: Maryland's student radio station WMUC (88.1 FM) will broadcast up to 11 Maryland women's soccer games in 2002. A pregame show will air approximately 30 minutes prior to kickoff. WMUC's broadcasts can be heard live on the Internet at wmucsports.com and will be linked to umterps.com. Josh Madden will handle play-by-play. He will be assisted by Mark Zaner and Ariel Agami.
* Email Straight To You: If you would like the latest Maryland women's soccer news emailed directly to you as soon as it breaks, email women's soccer contact Jason Yellin at jyellin@wam.umd.edu with the message "Women's Soccer Email" as the subject and you will receive every update distributed about the team.
* Terrapin Fan Phone: For up-to-date reports, comments from coaches, and other Maryland athletic department information, phone the Terrapin Fan Phone at (301) 314-TERP.
Team Facts
Maryland:
2002 Record: 1-1-0 (0-0 ACC)
2002 Preseason Rank: S. Buzz (Votes), S. Times (Votes)
Head Coach: Shannon Higgins-Cirovski (UNC '90)
Coach's Record: 98-88-14 (.527)/11th season
Coach's Record at UM: 30-29-3 (.508)/4th season
Asst. Coach: Kerry Dziczkaniec (George Washington '93)
Asst. Coach: Steve Campbell (Maryland '96)
Leading Scorer: A.Poulin (2g, 0a, 4p), M. Mahar (1 g, 2a, 4 p)
Rutgers:
2002 Record: 1-0-1 (0-0 Big East)
2002 Preseason Rank: NSCAA (19), S.Amer. (24), S.Buzz (15)
Head Coach: Glenn Crooks (Georgia '80)
Coach's Record: 69-72-13 (.490)/10th season
Coach's Record at Rutgers: 24-17-4 (.556)/3rd season
Assts: Mike O'Neill (Seton Hall '90), Mandi Risden (Auburn '99)
Leading Scorer: Boo Schubert (1g, 1a, 3pts)
Virginia Commonwealth:
2002 Record: 2-0-0 (0-0 CAA)
Co-Head Coach: Denise Schilte-Brown (UMBC '96)
Co-Head Coach: Chris Brown (American '94)
Coach's Record: 36-37-5 (.494)/5th season
Coach's Record at VCU: 18-20-4 (.476)/3rdseason
Ass't Coach: Ronnie Pascale (Furman '97)
Leading Scorer: Leah Robinson/Jen Parsons (2g, 0a, 4p)
Upcoming ACC Women's Soccer Games
Friday, September 6
NC State at San Diego State, 1:00 pm
Clemson vs. Portland @ Notre Dame, 5:00 pm
Duke vs. Washington @UNC, 5:00 pm
Missouri at Florida State, 7:00 pm
Maryland at Rutgers, 7:00 pm
Richmond at North Carolina, 7:00 pm
Georgia at Wake Forest, 7:00 pm
Virginia at UCLA, TBA
Sunday, September 8
Clemson vs. Santa Clara @ Notre Dame, 11:00 am
Duke vs. TBA @ UNC ,1:00 pm
Washington at North Carolina vs, 3:00 pm
NC State vs. Cal.-State Northridge
@ San Diego,1:00 pm
LSU at Florida State vs., 2:00 pm
Va Commonwealth at Maryland, 5:30 pm
Virginia vs. USC @ UCLA, TBA
