No.1 Terps Battle George Mason
9/23/2003 8:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
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GEORGE MASON (4-2-1) vs. #1 MARYLAND (7-0)
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2003 * 7 p.m.
Ludwig Field (4,500/Grass), College Park, Md.
Radio: www.wmucsports.com
Live Stats: www.umterps.com
Sept. 23, 2003
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The No.1 Maryland men's soccer team looks to stay on the winning track on Wednesday, September 24, against regional rival George Mason.
The Terps (7-0) are back in action after a 2-0 win over Duke on Sunday. George Mason (4-2-1) has dropped its last two contests, falling 2-1 to Wake Forest and 3-1 to American. Maryland has won five of the last six meetings between the two teams, inlcuding a 4-1 win last season.
The Terrapins are looking to extend their season's winning streak to eight on the season and home winning streak to 17. Maryland has not been beaten at Ludwig since November 25, 2001.
About The Patriots
The Patriots got off to a hot start going unbeaten in its first five matches (four wins and one tie), but have dropped their last two against strong competition (Wake Forest and American).
George Mason comes to College Park with an explosive offense that features two of the most prolific scorers in the region in Steve Alabi and Karim Manneh. Alabi has seven goals and four assists for 16 points in his first seven games. Manneh has chipped in foour goals and two assists for 10 points. The Patriots are outshooting their opponents 102-72, and should provide a formidable challenge for Maryland's back line.
While the offense has grabbed some of the early season attention, the defenders are also a solid and experienced unit. Keith Nakai, Danny Climo and Damian O'Rourke are returning starters from a team that allowed just 21 goals in 19 games a year ago. So far this season, the Patriots are allowing 1.12 goals per game.
In goal for George Mason is John O'Hara. The 2001 Colonia Athletic Leage rookie of the year and 2002 All-CAA selection, is recognized as one of the better keepers in the nation. He has gotten off decent start in 2003, allowing eight goals and making 23 saves (1.12 GAA) in 644 minutes of action this season.
Fran O'Leary is in his third season with the Patriots and has compiled a 20-18-6 in his time at George Mason. The veteran coach is in his 15th season and is just four wins shy from his 150th career victory.
Last Time vs. George Mason
FAIRFAX, Va. - The No. 9 Maryland Terrapins (11-3-0) notched a 4-1 win over regional foe George Mason (6-3-2) on Saturday night at George Mason Stadium.
Maryland's Abe Thompson took advantage of a misplay and drilled a shot from right to left into the right side of the goal past George Mason keeper John O'Hara. Thompson's goal, in his hometown of Fairfax, Va., was his team-leading eighth goal of the season and gave Maryland a 1-0 lead. Nino Marcantonio was also credited with an assist on the goal.
Just 1:47 into the second half, tri-captain Scott Buete played the ball forward to junior striker Nino Marcantonio. Marcantonio sent the ball across the box to sophomore forward Domenic Mediate, who made the deposit from 15 yards out to put Maryland up 2-0. Mediate's goal was the eventual gamewinner.
Marcantonio and Mediate connected again 1:47 later when Marcantonio sent a low cross into the box that found Mediate who fit it past O'Hara again for the three-goal Terrapins' lead. Michael Dello-Russo was also credited with an assist on the goal.
Maryland struck a third time after a substitution, with tri-captain Seth Stammler firing one to sophomore defender Clarence Goodson, who buried a shot past a stunned O'Hara for a 4-0 Maryland lead.
George Mason got on the board in the 79th minute when junior Mirza Kurspahic lined up for the corner kick. Kurspahic hit Damian O'Rourke inside the box, who found forward Laszlo Juhasz for the Patriot's first goal of the night and Juhasz's first goal of the season. Maryland's four goals were the most goals in a single game that George Mason has given up all season. Before Saturday night's game, the Patriots had given up only seven goals in their first 10 games.
Last Time Out vs. Duke
Abe Thompson scored a goal and added an assist as the No.1 men's soccer team earned a 2-0 win over Duke in a hard-fought match Sunday afternoon at Koskinen Stadium in Durham, N.C.
The Terps (7-0, 2-0) shutout their opponent for the sixth time in seven matches this season. For the season, Maryland has allowed just one goal in 630 minutes this season.
"It was good to win in someone's back yard, and if you want to be a championship team you have to win games like this" head coach Sasho Cirovski said of his team's first road win of the season (Maryland's wins away from Ludwig Field have been at neutral sites). "We were able to get some goals early and put the game away."
The match was without a flow in the early going as play was interrupted 35 times in the first half due to fouls (17 on Maryland, 18 on Duke). In the game, 55 fouls were called and seven cards were issued.
Thompson got the Terps on the board in the seventh minute with his fourth goal on the year after he put a free kick from the top of the box and put it in the upper left corner of the goal. Thompson took the free kick after Scott Buete made a run towards the goal and was pulled down by a Duke defender.
"That was a world-class free kick by Abe," Cirovski commented.
Thompson had a part in the second goal as well working to the right corner of the field before sending a cross that Domenic Mediate headed in to give Maryland the 2-0 cushion.
Duke (2-4-1, 0-2) had a few good offensive opportunities in the first half bringing Terp keeper Noah Palmer out away from the net, but could not convert. The Terps beared down defensively in the second half allowing just three shots and forcing the Blue Devils to settle mostly for long-range shots.
"In the second half, we changed the way we played and we wanted to try and counter some of the action and get more compact," Cirovski said.
500 Wins On The Horizon
With its ninth win of the season, the Maryland men's soccer team will celebrate its 500th win in program history. Currently the Terps have a 498-261-66 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 138 wins, both ACC titles and eight NCAA Tournament berths, including two Final Fours.
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 23 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.
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 has held the top ranking for three consecutive weeks.
Maryland returned all 11 starters from its College Cup team a year ago, making it one of the favorites for the title this season.
The Last Time...
Maryland began a season 8-0: 1968
Maryland won eight 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)
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 have been nearly impenetrable all season.
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| Junior Clarence Goodson has helped the Terps allow just one goal in seven games this season. |
PK's Are OK
Maryland is a perfect 4-4 on penalty kick attempts this season. A.J. Herrera has converted two of those, while Abe Thompson and Nino Marcantonio have accounted for the other two.
In addition, two 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.
Ball Control
Maryland has been tremendous at controlling possession of the ball and dictating play through its first six 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 seven games, Maryland is outshooting its opponents by a whopping 150-56 margin.
Awesome A.J.
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 three goals and notched three assists, good for nine points (second-best on the team). Herrera was the second-leading scorer for the Terps in 2001 scoring eight goals and five assists.
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)
Clarence Goodson: Soccer America Team of the Week (9/17/03)
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 69-25-4 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 2,380 so far this season.
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.
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 (77). 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 15 assists in his career, which means he needs just onemore to be in the top 10 in all three offensive categories.
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
Maryland head coach Sasho Cirovski has used three different starting lineups in the Terps' seven 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
NC State: Palmer, Stammler, Rodway, Bertz, Lancos, Sumed, Herrera, Buete, Goodson, Thompson, Mediate
Duke: Palmer, Stammler, Rodway, Bertz, Lancos, Sumed, Herrera, Buete, Goodson, Thompson, 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.
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, ranking tied for third-best all-time in career with 22. Sumed and Buete each have an assist this season.
Stammler Named 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.
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.
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.
