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Sept. 3, 2003

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - There are no computers involved. Jeff Sagarin and his ratings are far away from this sport. Margin of victory over your opponent's opponents have no place here. This weekend at Ludwig Field proves you don't need the BCS to get the nation's top two teams to go head to head.

Of course, this Friday's matchup (8 p.m. kickoff) between No.1 UCLA and No.2 Maryland won't determine the national title. In only the second weekend of the season, it's even a stretch to say that the winner of this game is the NCAA favorite. However, that does not cool the excitement of having two of the premiere soccer programs in the nation on the same pitch in a game that has been circled by fans since the schedules came out. The game has even peaked the interest of television, with the game being televised by CN8 and Comcast Sports Net.

The history between the two teams is minimal, but significant. The series is tied at 1-1, but the difference is as vast as the opposite coasts to Maryland head coach Sasho Cirovski. Maryland defeated UCLA in 2001 at the Virginia Soccer Classic, while the Terrapins' lone loss to the Bruins came last season with a lot more on the line. UCLA defeated the Terps in the national semifinals on its way to the NCAA title.

"We want have the kind of program that UCLA has," Cirovski says. "We have the utmost respect for them because they have won national titles and developed tremendous players. I think that playing this game will be a lot of fun for the fans and both teams, and it gives us a chance for us to see how we measure up against the best."

While fans and media may be thinking revenge for the Terps, Cirovski and his team knows that the outcome of this game doesn't change anything about last season.

"We must understand that this game is a regular season game," he says. "There is no finality if we lose and there is no NCAA title game if we win. It is what it is: an incredible matchup between two great teams."

That incredible matchup has garnered the attention of the Ludwig faithful as a record crowd is being anticipated. The fans will be treated to tremendous soccer and a blossoming rivalry between two schools from opposite coasts.

GAME NOTES

TOP-RANKED CLASH HIGHLIGHTS MARYLAND SOCCER CLASSIC
The second-ranked Maryland men's soccer team will take part in the fourth annual Maryland/adidas Soccer Classic this weekend. Top-ranked UCLA, ACC power Virginia and 2002 NCAA Tournament qualifier American will also particiapte in the tournament. Friday night's clash between UCLA and Maryland will pit the nation's top ranked teams in UCLA and Maryland. The two faced off last season at the College Cup, with the eventual national champions advancing with a 2-1 victory. A record crowd is anticipated for the game that is being televised by CN8 and Comcast Sports Net. Kickoff is slated for 8:06 p.m. On Sunday, the Terps will continue their local rivalry with American. The two teams have met on the pitch every season since 1974, making it one of Maryland's longest non-conference rivalries. The two teams will square off at 2:30 p.m.

Here is the full slate of action for the fourth annual Maryland/adidas Soccer Classic:

Friday, September 5
Virginia vs. American - 5 p.m.
Maryland vs. UCLA - 8:06 p.m.
Sunday, September 7
UCLA vs. Virginia - Noon
Maryland vs. American - 2:30 p.m.

ABOUT THE OPPONENTS
*UCLA: The defending national champions return seven players from their title run a year ago, which means that 18 of the 22 players on the field Friday night were in Dallas for the last battle between these two teams. The Bruins again sport talent all over the field, headlined by a pair of College Cup MVPs, defender/midfielder Aaron Lopez and keeper Zach Wells. UCLA also has a pair of national team players in Brandon Owens (U-17) and Patrick Ianni (U-20). In addition, the Bruins also return 21 goals and and 14 assists to their lineup with the return of Adolfo Gregorio (9g, 6a) and Matt Taylor (12 g, 8 a). Taylor scored first against the Terrapins in the national semfinals and Gregorio's goal in that game was the game-winner. UCLA is off to a 2-0 start after a pair of impressive victories at the Cal State Fullerton Soccer Town Classic last weekend. In the tournament's first game, the Bruins got a hat trick from Taylor as they rallied from a 1-0 deficit to get past No. 16 Penn State. Freshman Chad Barrett recorded three assists and one goal in the game. The Bruins then took the title with a 1-0 win over 2002 Big 10 runner-up Ohio State. Barrett's goal in the 66th minute proved to be all UCLA would need to prevail. Goalie Zach Wells earned the shutout, but the Bruin defense made things relatively easy on him only allowing two shots on goal. Barrett concluded his terrific college debut with two goals and three assists for seven points in the two games.

*American: The Eagles return five starters to a squad that went 13-7-2 in 2002 and advanced to the NCAA Tournament before being ousted by Maryland in the first round. Andrew Herman, the 2001 Patriot League Rookie of the Year and the league's leading scorer in 2002, returns as the main scoring threat for the Eagles. Herman netted 11 goals and chipped in seven assists a year ago. Joining him is All-Patriot League performer Shawn Kuykendall, who scored 25 points on seven goals and 11 assists from his midfield position in 2002. The Eagles are off to a solid campaign in 2003 with a 1-0-1 showing in the D.C. College Cup. American blanked George Washington, 3-0, in the tournament's opener before playing to a 1-1 draw against Georgetown. Herman is off to a hot start for the Eagles with two goals in the team's first two games.

LAST TIME VS. UCLA (RECAP)
Terps College Cup Quest Ends With 2-1 Loss To UCLA
dALLAS, Texas - The University of Maryland's season came to a close in Dallas, Texas, when the Terps suffered a 2-1 loss to UCLA in the national semifinal game. Maryland finishes the season with a school-record 20 wins against four losses. The Bruins (17-3-3) will take on the winner of Friday night's Creighton-Stanford match in Sunday's title game. No. 3 seed UCLA, started the scoring in the 74th minute, when forward Matt Taylor got free down the left side of the field, and finished a cross from Adolfo Gregorio. Maryland coach Sasho Cirovski was ejected with a red card moments after the goal, but the Terps came back to tie the game less than five minutes later. No. 2 seed Maryland knotted it at one goal each in the 80th minute on a beautiful shot that first team NSCAA All-American Sumed Ibrahim split two defenders with and fitted into the top-left corner. The goal was the first for Sumed since the North Carolina game on Oct. 5. The gamewinner for UCLA was a Gregorio penalty kick awarded after forward Cliff McKinley got tied up in the box by Maryland goalkeeper Noah Palmer with 8:01 remaining to play.

UCLA 2, Maryland 1

Scoring: UCLA-Taylor (Gregorio) 74:44; MD-Sumed 80:47; UCLA-Gregorio (penalty kick) 81:59 Shots: MD-4+10=14, UCLA-4+6=10 Corners: UCLA-3+1=4; MD-0+1=1 Saves: UCLA-2+3+5; MD-1+2=3 Fouls: UCLA-11+8=19; MD-9+3=12 Goalkeeping: UCLA-Wells (1 GA, 5 SV, 90:00); MD-Palmer (2 GA, 2 SV, 90:00)

LAST TIME VS. AMERICAN (recap)
The second-seeded Maryland Terrapins advanced to the third round of the NCAA men's soccer tournament with a 1-0 victory over the visiting American Eagles on a frigid night at Ludwig Field. Domenic Mediate scored the game's only goal in the 53rd minute when he collected a cross that squirted through the box and deposited the ball into the lower right corner of the net past a sprawling Michael Behonick. Abe Thompson and Nino Marcantonio were credited with the assists on Mediate's 10th goal of the season. A large crowd of 2,103 braved the elements to see Maryland (18-4) advance to the third round for the first time since 1998. With a one-goal lead, Maryland strengthened their clamps defensively, preventing any good Eagle scoring opportunities late in the match. Maryland had the better shot opportunities in the first 45 minutes of action, tallying 10 shots to just three for American. Maryland finished with 16 shots compared to eight for the Eagles. The Terrapins twice missed getting on the scoreboard late in the first half when Sumed Ibrahim headed a ball just over the Eagle net from inside the box with just under eight minutes remaining. Maryland had another late chance when Mediate worked a give-and-go with Sumed, springing him to a breakaway against Eagle netminder Behonick, who came well out of the box to cover up and make his sixth save of the half. American countered their best chance of the half when Peter Philipakos received a cross over the head of Maryland keeper Noah Palmer, who recovered quickly to cut off Philipakos' angle and prevent a shot from five yards out with under one minute remaining.

Maryland 1, American 0

Scoring: MD-Mediate (Thompson, Marcantonio) 52:52 Shots: MD-10+6=16; AU-3+5=8 Corners: MD-1+3=4; AU-0+2=2 Saves: AU-6+1=7; MD-1+3=4 Fouls: AU-12+6=18; MD-4+4=8 Goalkeeping: MD-Palmer (0 GA, 4 SV, 90:00);AU-Behonick (1 GA, 7 SV, 90:00)

LAST TIME OUT (VS. BUTLER)
The Maryland men's soccer team used two goals in the first half and converted on two penalty kicks in the second half to cruise to a 4-0 win over Bulter in the finals of the Diadora Challenge. Senior captain Seth Stammler was named the tournament's MVP as he helped the Terps to back-to-back shutouts from his center-back position. A.J. Herrera, Ian Rodway and Scott Buete were also named to the all-tournament team. The second-ranked Terrapins dominated play throughout controlling the ball offensively and limiting any offensive opportunities for the Bulldogs. Maryland held a decisive 27-11 advantage in shots and took nine corner kicks compared to Butler's two. "I thought today we were in complete control, and our possession was very good," head coach Sasho Cirovski said. "It was pleasing to get rewarded for our quality attacks." The Terps got on the board in the 24th minute when Sumed Ibrahim slid a pass from the top of the box to Domenic Mediate on the left side who put the ball past Butler keeper Evan Reinhardt. Maryland stretched its lead to 2-0 just seconds before the half when Nino Marcantonio's cross found the head of Jason Arnold for the goal. Maryland kept the pressure on in the second half forcing Butler to make critical mistakes. Marcantonio converted on a penalty kick after being pulled down in the box tracking down a great feed from Stammler. Herrera converted the Terps' other penalty kick in the 83rd minute after Siba Mohammed was taken out by Butler's keeper and was unable to take the kick himself. Noah Palmer worked 72 minutes in goal before giving way to Craig Salvati. The keepers turned away all four shots on goal. "We wanted to come here and get two wins," Cirovski added. "Butler got our attention after their play against Creighton and we were ready to play. We got everyone in the game and got several people quality minutes, which should serve us well in the future."

HONOR ROLL
Several Maryland players earned all-tournament honors last weekend at the Diadora Challenge hosted by Creighton. Seth Stammler was named the tournament's MVP after anchoring a defense that recorded back-to-back shutouts and only allowed 21 shots to be taken in two games. Stammler also sent a ball to Siba Mohammed from midfield that led to Siba being pulled down and awarded a penalty kick. Ian Rodway, A.J. Herrera and Scott Buete were also named to the all-tournament team.

TERP LINEUPS
Maryland head coach Sasho Cirovski has used two different starting lineups in the Terps two 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

HOME SWEET HOME
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. Overall, head coach Sasho Cirovski's teams are an impressive 65-25-4 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
One 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."

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.

TOP-RANKED TERRAPINS
After a run at the national title in 2002, College Soccer News believes that Maryland is the team to beat in 2003. The publication ranked Maryland ahead of UCLA, St. John's and ACC rival Wake Forest. It is the first time under head coach Sasho Cirovski that the Terps have earned top-billing in a preseason poll. As of the Sept. 1 in the CSN poll, Maryland still holds the top spot. In the NSCAA/adidas Coaches' Poll and in the Soccer America Preseason Poll, Maryland is ranked second behind the Bruins.

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).

RUN FOR THE RECORDS
Several players are close to making their mark on some Terrapin career records. Thompson's 28 career goals are tied for 10th all-time at Maryland and he he needs just three more points 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. Scott Buete has registered 21 career assists, which is good for fourth all-time. 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.

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
Three 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, the Oct. 12 meeting with UConn and the Oct. 31 battle against Virginia on Halloween will all 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 1-0 against ranked opponents in 2003 with that victory coming over then-No.15 Furman at last week's Diadora Challenge.

2002 HIGHLIGHTS
*Terps Advance To College Cup -- Maryland's men's soccer team made its second appearance in the NCAA semifinals under head coach Sasho Cirovski. The Terps have been to the NCAA Tournament eight of the last nine years.

* ACC Champs! -- With a 3-0 win over Virginia, the Terrapins claimed their second ACC Tournament title in school history. Maryland's other title came in 1996.

* All-Everythings -- The Terrapins collected numerous honors during the course of the season, including first team NSCAA/adidas All-America selection Sumed Ibrahim and third-team pick Scott Buete. Sumed became the first Terp since 1999 to be named to the All-ACC first team in consecutive seasons and was named to the All-College Cup Team. Buete, Seth Stammler and Abe Thompson were named to the conference's second team, the most players Maryland has put on the second team since 1997. In recognition of their outstanding play at the ACC Tournament, Noah Palmer, Nino Marcantonio, Domenic Mediate and Stammler were named to the All-Tournament Team. Thompson was cited as the tournament MVP.

* 20-Something -- Maryland's 20 wins were the most in school history, surpassing the previous best of 16 accompished in 1997 and 1998.

* Plenty of "O" ... -- Buoyed by Abe Thompson's offensive prowess, Maryland netted 60 goals last season, one shy of the team record. Thompson led the team with 14 goals (10th-best in a season) and recorded 36 points (tied for seventh-best in a season). Domenic Mediate surged late in the season and chipped in 31 points on 13 goals and five assists. Nino Marcantonio's dished out nine assists, giving him the eighth-best total in school history for a single season.

* ... Plenty of "D" -- Noah Palmer didn't let much get by, but neither did the defenders in front of him. Palmer ended the season with a 0.80 GAA, good for 18th-best in the NCAA. Palmer recorded 11 shutouts in 2002, one shy of the Maryland single-season mark, notching five of those shutouts in the ACC and NCAA tournaments. Palmer's defensive line of Seth Stammler, Kenney Bertz, Clarence Goodson and Chris Lancos surrendered an average of 4.43 shots on goals per game during that seven-game stretch.

*Cirovski Gets 150 -- With a 1-0 win over Bucknell on November 6, head coach Sasho Cirovski recorded his 150th career victory. Cirovski's career total stands at 157-87-15 and his record at Maryland is 131-75-9.