Nationally-Ranked Terps Hold 2003 Soccer Media Day
8/18/2003 8:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Aug. 18, 2003
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The Maryland men's and women's soccer teams held the 2003 Media Day at Ludwig Field on Monday afternoon. Nearly 25 members of the local media ranging from the Washington Times to Comcast SportsNet to FOX 5 were in attendance.
The head coach husband-wife team of Sasho and Shannon Cirovski answered many questions as well as many members of the Terps.
The men's team will take on D.C. United this Wednesday, August 20 at 7:30 p.m. in a preseason exhibition match at Ludwig Field.
Quotes from Monday's Media Day:
Head Coach Sasho Cirovski
On the schedule: We have an amazing schedule. I don't know that any team has ever played a schedule this exciting. From top to bottom, every team on our schedule has a chance to make the NCAA tournament. Fourteen (of 18) teams made it to the tournament last year. It's exciting. People need to understand that we scheduled those teams for a reason: to challenge us and make us better and stronger for the postseason.
On the offseason: We were able to a lot more large-field tactics than we normally do. Normally during the offseason we are dedicated to physical development and technical development. This spring, in addition to those, we focused on large-group tactics. We tried a different system, we incorporated a lot of different people and they got a lot of quality minutes against good competition. I think the players really dedicated themselves this summer to getting into good shape.
On the team being ranked No.1: This is the first time we have been ranked No.1 in the preseason, and we are looking forward to the challenge. We are going to embrace that challenge, and attack the schedule and see where it takes us.
On the game with DC United Last year that game served a great purpose for our team because we completed well with them and it gave us some confidence. We had a very captive audience for our team because the game exposed us a little bit. We want to get out of this game a few things to help us get better, we want to get out of the game healthy and we want to attract some fans to watch us play this year.
Junior Forward Abe Thompson
On his role: I would like to help my team as I have been doing since I've been here. I want to keep scoring goals and keep creating opportunities for other players to score goals.
On being the top-ranked team in the nation: It feels good. We've never been in the position before. It's exciting to be the team that everyone wants to beat. We are going to be the biggest game on everybody's schedule and that is exciting.
Senior midfielder Scott Buete
On Ludwig Field renovations: This is the first time that I've seen it. Sasho said that we were going to have the stands and the boards around the field, but I didn't picture it like this. This is a perfect soccer environment. It looks just like a real soccer stadium overseas. This is the kind of atmosphere you love to play in because the fans will be able to be involved. It's amazing what Sasho has done and he's still working at it.
Junior goalkeeper Noah Palmer
On being one of the top goalies in the conference: It's not a matter of personal achievement, but if we concentrate on our team goals then it will let players accomplish their own goals along the way. Right now, the only goal is to play well as a team and that will bring whatever recognition there is.
On the rest of the defense: I feel really comfortable with those guys in front of me. We don't have any guys that need to be replaced and I feel really good with the four guys in front of me and three or four guys off the bench. It's nice to have played together for a year and during the offseason. I know what they are going to do and they know how I'm going to play and what I'm going to do.
Senior midfielder Sumed Ibrahim
On this season's improved attack: For most of our attacking players, (last season) was our first time playing together. Now that we played together last year, I know where Abe Thompson likes to play the ball and where he wants the ball. I know where Nino (Marcantonio) needs the ball to be.
