Maryland Opens NCAA Tournament Action Against Hofstra

Nov. 22, 2004

COLLEGE PARK, Md. -- The third-seeded Maryland Terrapins will face Hofstra in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Tuesday, Nov. 23, at 6 p.m. at Ludwig Field. Hofstra defeated Seton Hall, 2-1, on Saturday to advance to the second round.

Maryland (15-5-1) has been idle since a 2-1 loss in the ACC Finals against Virginia on Nov. 14. The Terps had their eight-game winning streak snapped by the `Hoos in that game.

Hofstra (12-9-1) has won its last six, including its run through the Colonial Athletic Association Tournament in which the Pride knocked off two ranked opponents on the way to the title. Hofstra defeated No. 25 UNC-Wilmington, No. 15 Virginia Commonwealth and Old Dominion to earn the league's automatic berth into the NCAA Tournament.

The Pride is making its first appearance in the NCAA Tournament at the Division I level. The last time Hofstra was in a NCAA Tournament, it was in the Small College Division in 1968. Coincidentally, Maryland was co-national champion at the Division I level that year.

Maryland leads the all-time series against Hofstra 2-0. The two teams last played in 1997, with the Terps coming away with a 2-0 victory.

The Terps have a six-game NCAA Tournament winning streak at Ludwig Field. The last time the Terps lost an NCAA Tournament game in College Park was Nov. 25, 2001 (a 1-0 loss to Loyola).

More NCAA Tournament Notes

Maryland is making its 24th appearance in the NCAA Tournament. The Terps are 26-22-2 all-time and earned a co-national title with Michigan State in 1968.

Sasho Cirovski is making his 10th trip to the NCAA Tournament in 12 seasons as head coach of the Terps. Cirovski is 14-9 in the NCAA Tournament at Maryland and has led the Terps to three College Cup appearances.

Maryland has a 5-4 record against teams in the NCAA Tournament this year.

The Terps are a top-three seed for the third straight season. Maryland will play at Ludwig Field for as long is it remains in the tournament until the College Cup in Carson, Calif.

Maryland has eight starters who have NCAA Tournament experience.

ACC Tournament Notebook

Maryland's bid for the ACC Tournament title was dashed by Virginia for the second consecutive season as the Terps fell in the finals to UVa, 2-1. Maryland advanced to the finals after wins over Clemson (2-0) and North Carolina (4-2).

Junior Chris Lancos had a huge tournament for the Terps, tying an ACC Tournament record with four assists. Lancos had a part in all four goals in the game against UNC, notching three assists and scoring one goal himself.

Lancos, Jason Garey and Noah Palmer were all named to the All-Tournament team. Garey scored four goals at the tournament, while Palmer recorded a shutout and made nine saves, including seven against Clemson, during the week.

Abe Thompson became Maryland's all-time leader in points with 110 with his goal against Clemson. He has 43 goals and 24 assists for his career.

Scouting Hofstra

Hofstra (12-9-1) enters Tuesday's game riding a six-game win streak. The Pride won the CAA Tournament to earn the league's automatic berth in the NCAA Tournament. It is Hofstra's first NCAA Division I tournament in school history.

The Pride are led offensively by forward Michael Todd, who has eight goals and eight assists. Jason Gates is the only other Hofstra player with double digit points (11 points on five goals and one assist).

Hofstra is 4-2-1 against ranked opponents this season.

Goalie Mathias Gumbrecht has been a key to Hofstra's run in the postseason. The junior has shutout four of his last five opponents, and has allowed just one goal in the postseason. On the season, he has 90 saves and a GAA of 1.17.

Maryland Opens NCAA Tournament Action Against Hofstra

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