Sept. 12, 2003

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COLLEGE PARK, Md.

The No.1 Maryland men's soccer team concludes its four-game homestand with an ACC contest against N.C. State. The Terps have won 16 consecutive home matches at Ludwig Field.

The Terps (5-0) are coming off a 4-0 route of Loyola on Wednesday. Maryland got goals from Clarence Goodson, Abe Thompson, Jason Garey and Nino Marcantonio. The Terrapin defense surrendered just one shot to the Greyhounds, a 30-yard blast that sailed well wide of the goal. The Wolfpack enter today's game with a 2-2 record after a 3-2 win over Gardner-Webb on Wednesday.

Maryland has won the last six against N.C. State, including a 3-0 win in the first round of last season's ACC Tournament. The Terps own more wins over N.C. State (38) than any other team in the program's history. GAME NOTES

About N.C. State
The Wolfpack are a young team this year, but still return most of its scoring from last season. The team is led by a pair of sophomores on the attack in Aaron King and Bryan Salter. King was the team's leading scorer last season and is off to another strong campaign this year scoring three goals and adding three assists for nine points. Salter has also played well in the young 2003 campaign registering a goal and two assists. N.C. State returns five players who saw significant minutes in the backline last season. However, the team has had to find a new keeper after the graduation of four-year starter Mitchell Watson. Jorge Gonzalez has gotten the nod in goal for the Wolfpack so far this season, allowing 10 goals in four games this season. Head coach George Tarantini is in his 18th season as head coach of the Wolfpack. This season, N.C. State shows wins over Gardner-Webb and Georgia Southern, but have fallen to UC-Santa Barbara and WIlliam & Mary.

Last Time vs. N.C. State
CARY, N.C. - No. 2 seed Maryland (15-4) defeated No. 7 seed NC State (5-14) in the quarterfinals 4-0 to advance to meet the winner of the North Carolina vs. Clemson game in the ACC semifinals. Sophomore striker Domenic Mediate scored the gamewinner for Maryland under two minutes into the game. An aggressive Maryland team wasted no time, scoring 1:47 into the game on a neat left-to-right pass from junior Nino Marcantonio (Bethesda, Md.) to Mediate. The Terps made it 2-0 when Scott Buete sent a free kick into the box that found Terps' leading scorer Abe Thompson. Maryland, ranked 10th nationally, entered the halftime break up 2-0. The second half was more of the same for the Terps with Thompson feeding Marcantonio 1:40 into the frame. Maryland's fourth goal came in the 71st minute when freshman Jason Garey picked-off and NC State pass and took it 15 yards back to the goal for the 4-0 final score. The Terrapins' Noah Palmer was credited with one save and earned his seventh shutout of the season while NC State's Mitchell Watson stopped seven Maryland shots on the night.

Maryland 4, NC State 0
:47- UMD: Mediate ( Marcantonio); 30:19- UMD: Thompson (Buete); 46:40- MARYLAND: Marcantonio (Thompson); 70:44- UMD: Garey )
Shots: NCSU 3+3=6, UM 9+11=20
Corner Kicks: NCSU 2+0=2, UM 3+4=7
Fouls: NCSU 9+5=14, UM 9+9=18
Offsides: NCSU 1+0=1, UM 1+0=1
Goalkeeping: Maryland- Noah Palmer (90 minutes, 0 goals against, 1 save); NC State- Mitchell Watson (90 minutes, 4 goals against, 7 saves)

Last Time Out vs. Loyola
Maryland's first game as the No.1 team in the nation was a successful one as the Terrapins routed Loyola, 4-0, in front of 1,397 fans Wednesday night at Ludwig Field. The Terps dominated the game throughout, allowing only one shot by Loyola, an attempt from 30 yards out that sailed right of the goal. Maryland held an incredible 30-1 advantage on shots and allowed none on goal. "We were well-connected defensively, and I thought this was our best performance of the season," head coach Sasho Cirovski said. "We had some very dangerous chances that we missed in the first half, but we were able to convert in the second half. "I think this is the start of something big, something magical" Cirovski said, alluding to the 1,000 students that turned out to Ludwig for the contest. "To have the student support tonight like we did is a big source of pride for me, and it's a tribute to our young men because they are fun to watch. We hope they were entertained and come back." Clarence Goodson took advantage of his height as he headed a corner kick from A.J. Herrera just underneath the crossbar for his first goal of the season at 17:02. The Terps threatened and possessed the ball for most of the first half, but were not able to open up the lead on the Greyhounds. Just as the team did against UCLA, the Terps re-energized at half time and put pressure on the Greyhounds right away. Scott Buete slid a pass from the middle of the field ahead to Abe Thompson on the left side of the box who got his shot past Loyola keeper Greg Peters at 46:03. In a similar play, Thompson passed to Garey, but the keeper came out to try and snag the pass before Garey could get the shot off. Garey beat Peters to the ball and rolled in his second goal of the season. Nino Marcantonio finished off the scoring after settling Erwin Diaz' blocked shot and putting the ball in the net. With one goal and one assist, Thompson moved into sole possession of seventh place on Maryland's all-time career points list with 74. He also has 30 goals for his career, ninth-best at Maryland. Maryland 4, Loyola 0
Scoring: MD-Goodson (Herrera) 17:02; MD-Thompson (Buete) 46:03; MD-Garey (Thompson) 70:04; MD-Marcantonio (Diaz) 79:00
Shots: MD-13+17=30; LC-1+0=0
Corners: MD-4+3=7; LC-1+2=3
Saves: MD-0+0=0; LC-2+5=7
Fouls: MD-5+4=9; LC-5+14=19
Goalkeeping: MD-Palmer (0GA, 0SV, 90:00); LC-Peters (4GA, 5SV, 90:00)

Top-Ranked Terrapins
By virtue of its win over No.1 UCLA, Maryland is the consensus No.1 team in the nation. This marks the first time in the program's history that the team has been ranked No.1 by the NSCAA. In addition to the NSCAA poll, the Terps are ranked first by Soccer America, Soccer Times and College Soccer News. Maryland returned all 11 starters from its College Cup team a year ago, making it one of the favorites for the title this season.

Awesome A.J.

	A.J. Herrera is tied for the team lead in points with seven.

Senior midfielder/forward A.J. Herrera is having an offensive resurgence so far in his 2003 campaign. Herrera scored just one goal and one assist in all of 2002, but has scored two goals and notched three assists to lead the Terps with seven points. Herrera was the second-leading scorer for the Terps in 2001 scoring eight goals and five assists.

The Last Time...
Maryland began a season 4-0: 1997
Maryland began a season 5-0: 1969
Maryland began a season 6-0: 1968
Maryland won five in a row: 2002
Maryland lost: December 12, 2002 (vs. UCLA, 2-1)
Maryland lost a home game: November 25, 2001 (vs. Loyola, 1-0 2ot)
Maryland gave up two goals: December 12, 2002 (vs. UCLA, 2-1)
Maryland gave up three goals: November 15, 2002 (vs. Clemson, a 4-3 win)
Maryland lost to an unranked opponent: October 10, 2001 (1-0 to George Mason)
Maryland went to overtime: December 1, 2002, vs. Saint Louis
Maryland won in overtime: December 1, 2002, vs. Saint Louis (1-0)
Maryland lost in overtime: November 25, 2001, vs. Loyola
Maryland tied: September 30, 2001 (against Wake Forest, 2-2)

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)
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)

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 ninth all-time in career goals (30) and seventh in points (74). 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 14 assists in his career, which means he needs just two more to be in the top 10 in all three offensive categories.

Terp Lineups
Maryland head coach Sasho Cirovski has used three different starting lineups in the Terps four games. Here is a game-by-game look at the Maryland starters: Furman: Palmer, Stammler, Rodway, Bertz, Lancos, Sumed, Herrera, Buete, Goodson, Thompson, Mediate
Butler: Palmer, Stammler, Rodway, Bertz, Lancos, Sumed, Herrera, Buete, Thompson, Garey, Mediate
UCLA: Palmer, Stammler, Rodway, Bertz, Lancos, Sumed, Herrera, Buete, Goodson, Thompson, Mediate
American: Palmer, Stammler, Rodway, Bertz, Lancos, Herrera, Buete, Goodson, Garey, Marcantonio, Mediate
Loyola: Palmer, Stammler, Rodway, Bertz, Lancos, Herrera, Buete, Goodson, Thompson, Garey, Mediate

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 16 straight at Ludwig, with its last loss coming November 25, 2001, to Loyola. Overall, head coach Sasho Cirovski's teams are an impressive 68-25-4 at Ludwig since the facility opened in 1995. For this season, Ludwig has a dramatic new look with bleachers behind each goal and a signs that extend around the perimeter of the field to give it a true soccer stadium feel. The Terrapins will have home-field advantage in 12 games this season.

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.

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, seven Terp opponents are ranked among the nation's top 25 (and one other receiving votes), 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."

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.

Run For the records
Several players are close to making their mark on some Terrapin career records. Thompson's 30 career goals are ninth all-time at Maryland and he he needs just one more point to crack the top 10 in career points. Sumed Ibrahim has 22 career assists, good for a tie for third on the Terps' all-time list. If Sumed is able to register 14 points in his senior season, he will earn a spot in Maryland's top 10 for career points. Scott Buete is tied with Sumed registered 22 career assists, which is good for fourth all-time.

Stammler Name Team Captain
Senior defender Seth Stammler is the team's lone captain 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. This will be the second season that Stammler has served as captain.

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, and the Oct. 12 meeting with UConn and the Oct. 31 battle against Virginia on Halloween will also be featured on TV.

Rocking The Ranked
Currently, seven Terrapin opponents are ranked in the nation's top 25 according to the NSCAA poll. So far, Maryland is 2-0 against ranked opponents in 2003, notching victories over No. 15 Furman and No.1 UCLA.

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 broadcast of the N.C. State match on www.wmucsports.com.