Aug. 29, 2006

College Park, Md. - The University of Maryland women's soccer team cracked the Top 25 in the latest Soccer America poll after a successful season-opening weekend at the Penn State Classic.

"We're happy for our players," said head coach Brian Pensky about the ranking."The recognition is always nice. Tennessee is a talented team, and being rewarded for that victory makes sense. However,we know that this is just one step in the bigger plan that we have for our team and program."

The Terps started the 2006 season off with a bang, upsetting No. 10 Tennessee 1-0. The game's lone goal came via a pair of Terrapin freshmen as Brittany Cummins sent a long cross-field pass to Emily Maynard, who punched the ball over the Lady Vols' keeper from 35 yards out.

Maryland finished the weekend with a gritty showing against then-No. 1 UCLA. The Bruins won the match 3-0, but the Terps showed they are a formidable team against any opposition.

The 2006 home schedule kicks off for the Terps on Friday, September 1, at Ludwig Field against in-state rival Towson. The match is set for a 5:00 p.m. start and is the first game of a women's-men's soccer doubleheader. The returning national champion Maryland men's soccer team hosts No. 10 UCLA at 8:00 p.m. Both games will be televised nationally on CSTV.

Soccer America Top 25 (August 28)
RANK/TEAM (RECORD) LAST WEEK
1. Florida State (1-0-0) 4
2. Santa Clara (2-0-0) 5
3. Notre Dame (2-0-0) 6
4. Texas A&M (2-0-0) 9
5. Penn State (1-0-1) 8
6. Virginia (2-0-0) 7
7. UCLA (1-1-0) 1
8. Portland (0-1-1) 2
9. North Carolina (1-1-0) 3
10. Duke (2-0-0) 13
11. Marquette (2-0-0) 16
12. West Virginia (2-0-0) 17
13. California (2-0-0) 18
14. Florida (1-0-1) 24
15. Georgia (2-0-0) 25
16. Auburn (2-0-0) NR
17. Missouri (2-0-0) NR
18. Connecticut (1-0-1) 12
19. Nebraska (0-0-1) 14
20. Tennessee (0-1-1) 11
21. Boston University (1-0-0) NR
22. USC (1-0-1) 22
23. Yale (0-0-0) 23
24. Boston College (1-1-0) 10
25. Maryland (1-1-0) NR