Terps Take On Cavs In Important ACC Match
10/29/2003 7:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
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Oct. 29, 2003
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The regular season Atlantic Coast Conference will be decided Friday, October 31, at 8 p.m. at Ludwig Field as No. 2 Maryland (14-1, 4-1) plays host to Virginia (8-7, 3-2).
The Terps are coming off their most lopsided win over Clemson in over 23 years, defeating the Tigers 4-1 at Riggs Field. Kenney Bertz scored the first two goals of his career on headers to lead Maryland to victory. Seniors Seth Stammler and Scott Buete eached added goals, while A.J. Herrera returned from injury to chip in two assists. Sumed Ibrahim continued his hot play with an assist--his 15th point in his last eight matches.
The Cavliers enter the contest after a 1-0 loss to UNC Greensboro on Tuesday night. The Wahoos surrendered a goal in the fifth minute and were unable to recover from the deficit.
The match will be televised live by Comcast SportsNet. Jim Harrison and Bob Lampinen will be calling the action from Ludwig Field.
About The Cavaliers
Despite its up-and-down season in 2003, Virginia still has a chance to claim the ACC regular season title with a win over Maryland. The Cavaliers have impressive wins over North Carolina and Wake Forest, teams ranked among the nation's Top 10, but were upset by NC State and Duke.
The Wahoos have had trouble away from Klockner Field, posting just a 1-4 record at away and neutral sites.
Virginia has an overwhelming advantage over its opponents in shots this season (255-141), but have been outscored by their opponents 22-21.
Mike Littlefield and Adam Cristman pace the Cavaliers offensively. Cristman has found the back of the net five times in 2003, while Littlefield has a team-best six assists to go along with three goals.
In goal, Ryan Burke and Ryan Best have been splitting time. Each sports an identical 1.45 GAA, with Best contributing three shutouts. In UVA's five conference matches, Burke has started three and gone 1-2 in those matches, while Best has started two and gone 2-0 with one shutout.
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Trick Or Treat!
Here's a look at what some Terp players went dressed for Halloween when they were younger: Seth Stammler: I always went as a punk rocker. I'd have jeans with holes in them, roll up a leg, and then a really colorful shirt. We'd buy the paint for the hair and then carry around a boom box or something. Abe Thompson: Batman Jason Garey: Shrimp boat captain. Kenney Bertz: A ninja turtle. A.J. Herrera: I went as a shark. My mom made me a full-body costume, I think I may go as that again this year. Chris Lancos: I was some good things when I was little. I was a cowboy, a dinosaur... I was Superman one time with a home-made costume. Bryan Vitagliano: I was one of the lolly-pop kids from the Wizard of Oz. I had the curled up shoes and the little suspenders and the whole outfit. Rob Vartughian: Batman
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Last Time Out vs. Clemson (10/26/03)
Clemson, S.C. - As the rain poured at Riggs Field, the No. 2 Maryland men's soccer team poured in three goals in the first half to lead the Terrapins to a convincing 4-1 win over Clemson.
The Terps (14-1, 4-1) jumped on the Tigers early, converting in the first minute of action when A.J. Herrera took a free kick from 40 yards away and found Kenney Bertz perfectly in stride where he headed it in to the left side of the net. Herrera, who had been out of the lineup with a sore foot, scored his first point since scoring the game-winner on a penalty kick against NC State over a month ago (Sept. 24).
It was the fastest Maryland had scored this season and the quickest the Terps have gotten on the board since the Terps got a goal at 1:47 against NC State in the 2002 ACC Tournament.
Maryland scored on almost the same set play in the 14th minute. Herrera took the free kick from just inside the previous spot and Bertz had to wait on the ball in the box before getting the shot past Clemson keeper Hunter Gilstrap.
The goals were Bertz' first of his career.
The scoring continued as Seth Stammler scored his first goal of the season on a powerful 35-yard blast. Stammler collected the ball after Clemson attempted to clear the ball off a corner kick, and then fired a shot into the upper left corner of the net for the score. Clemson's Justin Moore was ejected in the 43rd minute for his part in an altercation with Maryland's Domenic Mediate. The Tigers were forced to play the rest of the match a man down. Despite the disadvantage, the Tigers put some pressure on Maryland's back line in the first 15 minutes of action, and the constant pressure resulted in a goal by Charlie Roberts. Roberts collected a loose ball at the top of the box and shot skipped into the left corner of the net at 57:33.
After that Tiger score, the Terrapins regained their composure and began to possess the ball more. After a Clemson turnover deep in its own end, Sumed Ibrahim's shot hit the post and bounced to Scott Buete who buried his third goal of the season at the 73:46 mark. The assist gives Sumed 15 points in his last seven matches.
Last Time Vs. Virginia (ACC Finals, 11/17/02)
CARY, N.C. - Maryland captured its first ACC men's soccer championship since 1996 when it downed Virginia 2-0 on the strength of three goals from ACC Tournament MVP Abe Thompson. The Terps finish the regular season 17-4, tallying the most wins in a season in Maryland soccer history, while the Cavaliers fall to 15-6 on the year.
The Terps' first goal came on a well-executed break that weaved passes through from the midfield to Domenic Mediate. Mediate touched the ball to Scott Buete, who found a cutting Thompson in the box. Thompson unleashed the shot that made it 1-0 Maryland 4:45 into the action.
In an unusual turn of events in the second half, Virginia keeper David Comfort hit Mediate on a restart. The ricochet found freshman Jason Garey, who fired it and triggered a handball situation in the box. Thompson buried the penalty kick for his fourth goal of the tournament and second of the day to put the Terps up 2-0 with just over 30 minutes remaining to play in the championship game.
Virginia's Matt Oliver fouled A.J. Herrera in the box in the 58th minute, resulting in a second penalty kick for the Terps. Thompson buried it again for the hat trick and the 3-0 Maryland win.
Sophomore Noah Palmer preserved the win for the Terps with seven saves, including several finger-tip denials of the Cavs. The shutout was his eighth of the year.
Thompson earned MVP honors, while Mediate, Palmer, junior defender Seth Stammler, and junior striker Nino Marcantonio also earned a spot on the team.
Sumed Heating Up
Senior midfielder Sumed Ibrahim had a terrific start to the 2002 season, but struggled toward the end of the season. This season, it appears to be the exact opposite. Sumed battled injuries during the early portion of the season, but is showcasing his talents now that he is healthy again. In the last eight matches, the Hermann Trophy canidate has scored six goals and tallied three assists for 15 points. Sumed is living up to the role of the difference-maker, as two of his goals were game-winners (vs. Wake Forest and Penn State), and he assisted on the deciding goals against Georgetown and Penn. He is now tied for eighth all-time in points at Maryland with 73.
Palmer After Maryland Records
Junior goalkeeper Noah Palmer needs just four more shutouts to break the Maryland record for shutouts in a career, set by Dom Macina from 1985-1988. Macina had 27 shutouts for the Terps, while Palmer has amassed 24 so far in his career. Palmer is also on pace to break Macina's school record for goals-against average (GAA) in a season. Macina had a GAA of just 0.68 in 1985, yet Palmer's average is currently 0.43.
The Last Time Maryland...
... won the ACC regular season title: 1971
... earned the top seed in the ACC Tournament: Never
... had five ACC regular season wins: 1968
... lost a home game: Nov. 25, 2001 (vs. Loyola, 1-0 2ot)
... gave up two goals: Oct. 8, 2003 (vs. Georgetown, 3-2)
... gave up three goals: Nov. 15, 2002 (vs. Clemson, a 4-3 win)
... scored four goals: Oct. 12, 2003 (vs. UConn, a 4-0 win)
... scored five goals or more: Aug. 30, 2002 (vs. Rhode Island, a 8-0 win)
... lost to an unranked opponent: Oct. 10, 2001 (1-0 to George Mason)
... lost a non-conference regular season game: Oct. 12, 2002 (2-0 to UConn)
... went to overtime: Dec. 1, 2002, vs. Saint Louis
... won in overtime: Dec. 1, 2002, vs. Saint Louis (1-0)
... lost in overtime: Nov. 25, 2001, vs. Loyola
... tied: Sept. 30, 2001 (against Wake Forest, 2-2)
Balanced Attack
While Maryland does feature some star players, one of the team's biggest strengths is its depth. If a team tries to take away Abe Thompson or Sumed Ibrahim, Jason Garey, Nino Marcantonio and Domenic Mediate are more than capable to find the back of the net. Ten different players have netted goals for the Terps this season, and 15 players (including all 11 regulars) have notched at least one assist.
Maryland Notches 500 Wins
With its win over Wake Forest on September 24, the Maryland men's soccer team celebrated its 500th win in program history. Currently the Terps have a 505-261-66 record over 58 years of action, including one national championship (1968), 22 NCAA Tournament appearances and two ACC postseason championships. Head coach Sasho Cirovski has been on the sidelines for 145 wins, both ACC titles and eight NCAA Tournament berths, including two Final Fours. The accomplishment will be recognized prior to the start of the match with Virginia.
Gimmie Two!
When Maryland scores two goals in a game, you might as well chalk it up as a win for the Terps. Over the past two seasons, Maryland has not lost a match when they have scored at least two goals. During that span, the Terps have won 28 in a row when scoring two goals (and tied once to Wake Forest on September 30, 2001). The last time the Terrapins fell after scoring two goals was October 28, 2000, against Clemson.
Front Runners
When George Mason scored the first goal in the game on Wednesday, Sept. 24, it marked the first time all season (637 minutes) that the Terps had trailed in a game. Maryland trailed in the contest until the first minute of the second half and went on to win 5-1. Against North Carolina, the Terrapins fell behind (and remained behind) after North Carolina scored in the 68th minute. Penn became the third team to grab a lead against Maryland, but could only hold on to it for 23 minutes before the Terps tied the match. Maryland has trailed in just 83 of the 1350 total minutes, or just over six percent of the entire season.
Ball Control
Maryland has been tremendous at controlling possession of the ball and dictating play through 15 games. In addition to the stout back line, the Terps' forwards and midfielders rarely give up the ball and constantly put pressure on opposing teams. Through the first 15 games, Maryland is outshooting its opponents by a whopping 281-126 margin and have not been out-shot in a game all season. Opponents are only managing eight shots a match against the Terps.
Poll Positions
By virtue of its win over No.1 UCLA, Maryland became the consensus No.1 team in the nation. This marked the first time in the program's history that the team had been ranked No.1 by the NSCAA. In addition to the NSCAA poll, the Terps were ranked first by Soccer America, Soccer Times and College Soccer News. Maryland held the top ranking for four consecutive weeks.
After Maryland's loss to No. 5 North Carolina, Maryland has slipped to the No. 2 spot in the NSCAA, Soccer Times and College Soccer News polls. Soccer America dropped the Terps to No. 4.
Maryland has all 11 starters from its College Cup team a year ago, making it one of the favorites for the title this season.
Terp Forwards Feared
The Terp front line was recently named as one of the most feared in the nation according to CollegeSoccerNews.com. The website commented that, "The Terps are loaded with talent. Juniors Abe Thompson and Domenic Mediate are prolific scorers. Nino Marcantonio, Jason Garey and Erwin Diaz add strength and skill to a group up-top that can make a case for being the best in the nation. Maryland plays a style of soccer that is pleasing to those who like to attack."
Shut 'em Down, Shut 'em Out
While Maryland certainly has some prolific scorers, the team can't lose if it doesn't give up a goal. The back line of team captain Seth Stammler, Clarence Goodson, Chris Lancos and Kenney Bertz--recognized by College Soccer News as one of the top back lines in the NCAA--have been nearly impenetrable all season. The group allows an average of eight shots a game, but more impressively, just over three shots on goal per game. The Terps have shutout nine of 15 opponents and are threatening the team record for shutouts in a season (13) that the unit set last season. Only seven goals have been scored on the Terrapins in 1,350 minutes of action.
PK's Are OK
Maryland is a perfect 5-5 on penalty kick attempts this season. A.J. Herrera and Nino Marcantonio have converted two apiece, while Abe Thompson has accounted for the other.
In addition, three of those penalty kicks have turned out to be the game-winners. Thompson's PK against UCLA proved to be the difference in that matchup, while Herrera's conversion against NC State was the deciding goal in that match. Marcantonio's PK was all Marylaned needed in a 4-0 win over UConn.
Honor Roll
Several Maryland players earned tournament, conference and national honors so far this season. Here is a run down of the accolades earned by Terrapin players this season.
Scott Buete: Diadora Challenge All-Tournament Team (8/31/03); Maryland/adidas Soccer Classic Defensive MVP (9/7/03); College Soccer News National Player of the Week (9/8/03); Soccer America Team of the Week (9/10/03)
Seth Stammler: Diadora Challenge Tournament MVP (8/31/03); College Soccer News Team of the Week (9/1/03); Soccer America Team of the Week (9/10/03)
Abe Thompson: ACC Player of the Week (9/7/03); Maryland Student-Athlete of the Week (9/22/03)
A.J. Herrera: Diadora Challenge All-Tournament Team (8/31/03); Maryland/adidas Soccer Classic All-Tournament Team (9/7/03)
Ian Rodway: Diadora Challenge All-Tournament Team (8/31/03); Maryland/adidas Soccer Classic All-Tournament Team (9/7/03)
Clarence Goodson: Soccer America Team of the Week (9/17/03)
Sumed Ibrahim: Soccer America Team of the Week (10/1/03); College Soccer News Team of the Week (9/29); Maryland Student-Athlete of the Week (9/30)
Kenney Bertz: College Soccer News Team of the Week (10/12/03; 10/26/03); Soccer America Team of the Week (10/27/03)
Rocking The Ranked
Three Terrapin opponents are currently ranked in the nation's top 25 according to the NSCAA poll. However, as many as seven were in the Top 25 poll at one point this year. So far, Maryland is 3-1 against ranked opponents in 2003, notching victories over No. 15 Furman, No.1 UCLA and No. 16 Wake Forest, but losing to No. 5 North Carolina.
Living Large At Ludwig
The Terps completed their first-ever perfect home record in 2002, compiling a 10-0-0 record. Maryland went on to win three more games at Ludwig Field in the NCAA Tournament as it advanced to the College Cup. Maryland has now won 22 straight at Ludwig, with its last loss coming November 25, 2001, to Loyola.
Overall, head coach Sasho Cirovski's teams are an impressive 74-25-4 at Ludwig since the facility opened in 1995. For this season, Ludwig has a dramatic new look with bleachers behind each goal and signs that extend around the perimeter of the field to give it a true soccer stadium feel.
The Terrapins were fifth in the nation in total attendance (19,984) and seventh in the nation last season in average attendance (1,537), and have drawn an average of 2,203 so far this season. Ludwig Field has had two crowds of over 3,000 people this season: the record-setting 6,143 crowd for UCLA and the 3,647 fans for Wake Forest.
Thompson Climbs Career Charts
Just a junior, striker Abe Thompson is making his mark on some of Maryland's significant offensive career records. The Hermann Trophy candidate is seventh all-time in career goals (31) and sixth in points (79). Cliff Crug is Maryland's all-time leading goal scorer with 45 and Eberhard Klein is the Terps' leading point scorer (109).
Thompson also has 17 assists in his career, which means he is now among the top 10 in all offensive categories at Maryland.
A Little Help From My Friends...
Scoring a goal is one of the hardest things to do in all of sports, and the Maryland soccer team is fortunate to have to have two players that make life a little easier for the forwards in Scott Buete and Sumed Ibrahim. Both players are among the best in Terrapin history in dishing out assists, with Sumed ranking third with 25 career helpers and Buete ranking fourth all-time with 23.
In addition to those two, Abe Thompson is currently ninth on that list with 17 career helpers.
Loaded Schedule
A look at the Terrapin schedule is a "Who's Who" among the nation's elite. In addition to taking on the defending NCAA champions in UCLA, 13 other opponents on Maryland's schedule participated in the NCAA Tournament a year ago. Further, six Terp opponents are ranked among the nation's top 25, according to the NSCAA/adidas Coaches' Poll. Head coach Sasho Cirovski believes that his team's schedule among the toughest ever compiled in recent history.
"I want to make sure we find some weaknesses in our team during the season, and the only way we can do that is to play really good teams that can expose you," Cirovski says. "Then we use those moments to educate our team and get them to correct those things, so we are playing our best soccer in November and December."
Terp Lineups
With injuries along the Maryland front line and midfield, Terp head coach Sasho Cirovski has been forced to use nine different starting lineups in the Terps' 15 games. Here are the different starting lineups the Terps have utilized and their records in those games:
Furman, UCLA, NC State, Duke, Wake, North Carolina (5-1): Palmer, Stammler, Rodway, Bertz, Lancos, Sumed, Herrera, Buete, Goodson, Thompson, Mediate
Butler, George Mason (2-0): Palmer, Stammler, Rodway, Bertz, Lancos, Sumed, Herrera, Buete, Thompson, Garey, Mediate
American (1-0): Palmer, Stammler, Rodway, Bertz, Lancos, Herrera, Buete, Goodson, Garey, Marcantonio, Mediate
Loyola (1-0): Palmer, Stammler, Rodway, Bertz, Lancos, Herrera, Buete, Goodson, Thompson, Garey, Mediate
Georgetown (1-0): Palmer, Stammler, Rodway, Bertz, Lancos, Sumed, Herrera, Buete, Goodson, Marcantonio, Mediate
UConn (1-0): Palmer, Stammler, Rodway, Bertz, Lancos, Sumed, Herrera, Buete, Garey, Vitagliano, Mediate
Penn State (1-0): Palmer, Stammler, Rodway, Bertz, Lancos, Sumed, Buete, Goodson, Garey, Marcantonio, Mediate
Penn (1-0): Salvati, Stammler, Rodway, Bertz, Lancos, Sumed, Buete, Goodson, Garey, Marcantonio, Mediate
Clemson (1-0): Palmer, Stammler, Rodway, Bertz, Lancos, Sumed, Herrera, Buete, Goodson, Garey, Mediate
Familiar Faces
Maryland's starting lineup from the 2002 College Cup returns intact, as well as 12 reserves from last season. The Terrapins lost just one player from last season and added freshman goaltender Keegan Riseling to round out the roster.
Thompson, Sumed On Watch List
Junior forward Abe Thompson and senior midfielder Sumed Ibrahim were recently named to the Missouri Athletic Club (M.A.C.) Hermann Award watch list for the upcoming season. Thompson was the team's leading scorer in 2002 with 36 points (14 g, 8 a), while Sumed was a dominant force for the Terrapins in the midfield and scored 22 points (8 g, 6 a).
Maryland ACC Preseason Favorite
Maryland, the 2002 ACC Champions, has been selected as the favorite for the upcoming 2003 ACC Men's Soccer season, as determined by a vote of the league's seven head coaches. The Terrapins finished the 2002 campaign with a 20-5 overall record, including a 4-2 league mark and advanced to the semifinals of the NCAA Men's Soccer College Cup. Heading into 2003, Maryland collected 48 points in the pre-season balloting, edging out defending ACC regular-season champion Wake Forest, who finished second in the poll with 40 points.
The Demon Deacons finished the regular-season with a 4-0-2 league record and advanced to the third round of the NCAA Championship. Finishing third in the poll was Virginia with 30 points. The Cavaliers advanced to the finals of the 2002 ACC Championship and made their 22nd consecutive appearance in the NCAA Championship. Completing the pre-season poll in order of finish is North Carolina (28), Clemson (26), Duke (17) and NC State (7).
Considered by many to be one of the top soccer conferences in the nation, ACC schools have won 10 national championships in men's soccer over the last 19 years.
Stammler, Buete Team Captains
Senior defender Seth Stammler and Scott Buete are the team captains for 2003. Stammler, a native of Gahanna, Ohio, was a second team All-ACC selection in 2002, as well as earning All-ACC Tournament honors. Buete, a native of Bowie, Md., was a third team All-American in 2002 and is the team's catalyst in the midfield. This will be the second season that the players have served as captains.
Terps On The Tube
Two more Maryland Terrapin men's soccer games will be televised on CN8/Comcast Sports Net this season. The Terps' Sept. 5 showdown with defending NCAA champion UCLA was televised, as well as the Oct. 12 meeting with UConn. The Terps last television game will be Oct. 31, as Maryland will battle Virginia on Halloween.
Terps on WMUC
WMUC, the student radio station for the University of Maryland, is broadcasting many Terrapin games home and away this season. You can catch the broadcasts on either wmucsports.com or 88.1 FM. Here is a complete look at the broadcast schedule for the 2003 season:
E-Mail Updates
For all results, scores and releases on the men's soccer team, sign up to be on the e-mail distribution list by sending an e-mail to Adam Zundell (azundell@umd.edu) with "Men's Soccer Info" in the subject line.
