Aug. 5, 2005

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The Maryland men's soccer team is ranked third in the country in the College Soccer News Preseason Poll. The Terps, who have advanced to the College Cup each of the past three seasons, return seven starters to this year's team.

Two-time defending champion Indiana, who ousted the Terps in double overtime in the national semifinals last season, top the rankings. ACC rival Duke is ranked second, followed by the Terps. ACC squads Virginia (11th), Wake Forest (14th) and Boston College (21st) each cracked the rankings.

Maryland will face eight teams ranked among the top 25 this season, including the Hoosiers, Blue Devils and the UCLA Bruins, who begin the season ranked fourth.

The Terps begin the 2005 campaign August 19 and 21 with a preseason tournament in Akron. Maryland will then open the regular season the following week in California with games against Cal St. Fullerton and UCLA. The Terps will make their 2005 Ludwig Field debut on September 9 against Santa Clara in the sixth-annual Maryland/adidas Classic sponsored by Chesapeake Electrical Systems. Georgetown and Virginia Commonwealth are also participating in this year's tournament.