COLLEGE PARK, Md. -- The Maryland Terrapins have had unparalleled success over the past three seasons racking up 57 wins, three straight College Cup appearances and an ACC regular season and tournament title. With that success it might be easy to take the accomplishments for granted, but the Terps, led by a resolute and determined senior class, are continuing with the same blue collar work ethic to help lead them to their goal of a national championship.

"It's easy to look at our success over the last three years and be content, but I don't think that's going to happen because of our senior class," head coach Sasho Cirovski says. "Although they understand that what they've done is very good, they are not satisfied one bit. When you get as far as we've gotten, the pain of losing in those national semifinals never goes away. There probably is not a group of seniors that deserves something to happen to them more than this one.

"If you look at the four seniors who have been on the field for us a lot in the last few years--Michael Dello Russo, Chris Lancos, Kenney Bertz and Jason Garey--they might be our four hardest workers this summer. When you add to that mix a determined leader in Craig Salvati and you bring in Marc Burch and you have a six-member senior class that is highly determined and capable."

The Terps return seven starters from last year's team, including their entire back line and one of the nation's best forwards in Garey. The Terps will need to fill key holes in their lineup, though, as Maryland will need to break in a new goalkeeper, find a tough-nosed midfielder, come up with a running mate at striker to go with Garey and locate a player who can attack with speed out of the midfield. The coaching staff will be able to choose from the returning talent on the team as well as a large group of talented newcomers to help fill these needs.

"We do have some challenges, but there is a combination of returning players that have been moving toward their opportunities for playing time as well new players that are coming in that I am extremely excited about," Cirovski says. "The group of newcomers is made up of kids that wanted to come to Maryland and help us win a national championship. This class is winners and competitors.

"It's an exciting season, and our appetite for competition will be greater than ever."

FORWARD
Jason Garey put together one of the top offensive seasons in Maryland history in 2004 scoring 22 goals and nine assists for 53 points. Garey, a Hermann Trophy semifinalist, emerged as a reliable, hard-working forward who proved to have a knack for finding scoring opportunities. While the Terps will count on Garey to get his goals, the key for Maryland will be to have other players step forward and make the offensive attack balanced.

"It's not so much what we need from Jason, it's what we need from the other players," Cirovski says. "We are going to need one or two attacking players to step up and have a big year so that Jason is not the lone man marked by opposing teams in the same way that Jason benefited from having Abe Thompson and Domenic Mediate around last season."

Helping to ease the offensive burden is senior transfer Marc Burch, who comes to College Park after three seasons at Evansville. Burch is a tall target with skill and experience. Sophomore Aki Kadotani saw action in nine games as a freshman and will again provide depth at forward.

In addition to these players, the midfield is littered with talented attacking players who could impact the offense. Junior A.J. Godbolt, sophomores Maurice Edu, Stephen King, Kevin Reiman and freshmen Robbie Rogers, Doug Rodkey and Graham Zusi are all talented offensive players out of the midfield are capable of finding the back of the net for Maryland. Cirovski likes to rotate players up top, so he believes there should be plenty of opportunities for players to make an impact.

MIDFIELD
While the Terp midfield has plenty of offensive firepower, the players that can provide exceptional two-way play that will take to the field the most for Cirovski.

"I'm looking for consistency and two-way players," Cirovski says. "Players that are going to add value as much when you don't have the ball as when you do. We also need a few of the intangibles and bring complimentary skills to the other players on the field."

Stephen King and A.J. Godbolt proved to be steady players in the midfield for the Terps in 2004 and will likely get the nod again this season. King started every game last season scoring seven goals, including three game-winners, and five assists. He also demonstrated steady, smart play in the midfield. Godbolt, a starter in 17 games, provided Maryland with one of the top goals of the year with his header against St. John's in the NCAA Quarterfinals. Maurice Edu was slowed by injuries throughout the season, but was a force whenever he got onto the field and had an outstanding spring season.

Robbie C'deBaca missed all of last season with a broken leg, but could also be the consistent, ball-winning presence Cirovski is looking for. A healthy Pat Wilson and Spencer Allen, who earned quality minutes as a freshman, could also work their way into the lineup.

Robbie Rogers, who Cirovski believes was the top attacking player in the nation coming out of high school, gives the Terps a player in the mold of the graduated Domenic Mediate who can attack with speed out of the midfield. Kevin Reiman and Doug Rodkey also bring electricity and excitement to the field with their play out wide. Freshman Kwame Darko is another versatile wide midfielder who will compete for action.

A key spot for Maryland will be finding a replacement for Ian Rodway, Maryland's quiet but effective midfielder. Cirovski believes that freshmen Mike Marchiano and Kevin Tangney have the attitude and skill to be the Terps' holding midfielder.

DEFENSE
The Terp defense, highlighted by seniors Kenney Bertz, Chris Lancos and Michael Dello-Russo, is a dynamic group whose different individual strengths mesh to form one of the top units in the country. Bertz gives the Terps a strong and athletic presence and excels in the air at both ends of the field. Lancos, who thrived in his right back position a season ago, is a talented technical player and is one of the top attacking defenders in the country. Dello-Russo gives the Terps a bit of everything, with his defense, passing and leadership. Dello-Russo and Lancos each notched 10 assists out of the back for the Terps in 2004, and all three players have been consistent starters throughout their careers in College Park.

"These guys, as seniors, give us tremendous leadership and help set the tone for the entire team," Cirovski says. "They bring different talents to the table, but the same no-nonsense attitude that we need." The fourth returning starter is junior David Glaudemans. The gritty left back secured a starting spot midway through the season and proved he was up to the task fitting well with the other three. Glaudemans will benefit from that experience and has continued to improve during his career.

Despite the experience and talent, several players will push for time to spell the defenders or to provide a different look. Freshmen Mike Marchiano and Kevin Tangney could drop back from the midfield, or classmates Matt Beckman, A.J. Delagarza and Michael Vallie could give the Terps depth.

GOALKEEPER
For the first time in three seasons, the Terrapins will be starting a goalkeeper with limited game experience. Senior Craig Salvati has waited patiently behind Noah Palmer for his opportunity, but talented newcomer Chris Seitz will be strong competition for the job as well.

Salvati has earned the respect of his teammates and has become a team leader. He's seen action in 12 games, including three starts, and has two shutouts to his credit. This spring, Salvati improved in every game and began to gain the confidence necessary to be a starter.

Seitz, the California High School Gatorade Player of the Year, brings a big frame and athleticism between the pipes for the Terps. He has a strong presence on the field and has the talent to make the big saves.

"We need to find the player who is the most consistent and steady," Cirovski says of the competition for goalkeeper. "It isn't all about making the big save, although that is a part of it, but we need to have someone who gives us a good chance to win every time out."

SCHEDULE
Once again, the Terps have put together an extremely challenging and exciting schedule that come season's end will likely rank among the toughest in the nation. Maryland will go against 10 teams that competed in the 2004 NCAA Tournament, including national champion Indiana and semifinalist Duke.

"We are excited about the challenge of taking on one of the most competitive schedules we've ever put together here," says Cirovski. "This schedule stays with our tradition of playing the best teams in college soccer.

"In particular, I believe our home schedule is as exciting as we've had, and I can't wait to see Ludwig Field bursting with energy and enthusiasm this fall."

After a preseason tournament in Akron, Ohio, the Terps open the season on the West Coast for a pair of games against Cal St. Fullerton and UCLA. Maryland will then return home for the sixth-annual Maryland/adidas Classic sponsored by Chesapeake Electric Systems the weekend of Sept. 9-11. The Terps will take on Santa Clara, who advanced to the College Cup in 2003, and Virginia Commonwealth, a 2004 NCAA quarterfinalist. Georgetown completes the tournament field.

Other home games include ACC contests against Clemson, Wake Forest, North Carolina, and Virginia and non-conference matchups against St. Bonaventure, William & Mary, NJIT and two-time defending national champion Indiana. The Hoosiers eliminated the Terps in a double-overtime thriller in last season's national semifinals and will visit College Park on Saturday, Oct. 29, at 8 p.m., in Maryland's regular season finale. The Terp seniors will be honored prior to kickoff.

In addition to the season-opening trip to California, the Terps will have ACC road games against NC State, Duke, Virginia Tech and conference newcomer Boston College. The non-conference road slate includes a trip to University Park to take on Penn State and the short drive to Washington, D.C., to face Georgetown.

The ACC Tournament will once again be held in Cary, N.C., the week of Nov. 8-13. The Terps have advanced to the finals each of the past three seasons, winning in 2002. The SAS Soccer Stadium in Cary will also be the site for this year's College Cup the weekend of Dec. 9-11.

For information on the men's soccer team in 2005, e-mail Adam Zundell at azundell@umd.edu (type MEN'S SOCCER INFO in the subject line) to receive e-mail updates, game stories and feature stories throughout the season.