Dec. 19, 2006
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Sophomore keeper Chris Seitz, regarded as the top goalkeeper in the nation, has announced he will forgo his final two years of collegiate eligibility to pursue professional soccer opportunities.
The 6-4, 210-pound Seitz has earned numerous accolades this season as he was named a Soccer America College Men MVP, the ACC Defensive Player of the Year, and a third-team NSCAA/adidas All-American. Seitz was the first freshman keeper since 1990 to lead his team to the NCAA championship. In the national title match against New Mexico, Seitz made the biggest save in program history when he stopped a penalty kick in the 50th minute to preserve the Terps' 1-0 lead. He was an All-ACC second team selection and a member of the ACC All-Freshman squad in 2005.
Seitz finished his Maryland career with an impressive 28-5-3 record in 37 starts. In those victories, he posted 16 shutouts. His career goals against average of 0.77 is the best ever in a Terps uniform as he bested Dom Macina's mark of 0.82.
"Chris Seitz is an enormous talent," head coach Sasho Cirovski said. "He had a great two years here, and was a key figure in the tremendous success of the program in that time. Chris has a great presence in the goal, yet in spite of his success here, I feel his best is yet to come."
"He has great leadership. His distribution skills and ability to make big saves in key moments to help win games are uncanny. He has all of the tools to become a great goalkeeper and a fixture with the U.S. National Team."
"Chris is a great young man, and I was blessed to have the opportunity to coach him for the last two years. Like everyone involved in Maryland soccer, I am excited to follow and watch his career blossom. He has our gratitude and best wishes."
Said Seitz, "Having to make the decision to go pro came much earlier than even I expected. However, the opportunities that were presented became increasingly intense. After 3 ½ weeks of agonizing over my choices, I've decided that it was time to focus solely on soccer."
"Maryland is by far the best soccer program in the country. My decision to come to Maryland was the best decision of my life so far. I owe a tremendous amount of thanks to my coaches - Rob [Vartughian], Russell [Payne] and especially Sasho - for not only my development, but also for my incredible experience as a Terp."
