Aug. 19, 2009
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COLLEGE PARK, Md. -
After establishing the `Gold Standard' in 2008 with an NCAA National Championship, an ACC Tournament title and a school-record 23 wins and 15 shutouts, the Terps have a tall task ahead to repeat the kind of success they achieved just a year ago. However, with a core of returners including All-ACC honorees Zac MacMath, Matt Kassel and Casey Townsend, solid leadership from a talented group of upperclassmen, and a promising nationally-ranked recruiting class, there are plenty of reasons to believe the 2009 Terps will reach the College Cup and beyond.
Head coach Sasho Cirovski, now in his 17th season at Maryland, will rely on an experienced midfield, as well as returning starters Jason Herrick and Townsend up top, to provide a solid base for this year's squad. MacMath, one of the top keepers in the nation, will also be a cornerstone as the Terps attempt to make their eighth consecutive trip to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament and their seventh appearance in the College Cup in the last nine seasons.
"I'm excited by the challenge of this season," Cirovski said. "Obviously the bull's eye on our backs is a little bigger, which is a privilege and an honor, but along with that comes a big challenge.
"We are a team that is going to get better and, when it's said and done, we will be at the cusp of being a real contender. We have a very, very talented incoming class and a very experienced group of returners and we also lost a lot of experience and talent but we are ready for the challenge."
Maryland opens with UCLA at 8 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 4 at the friendly confines of Ludwig Field.
This is part one of a three-part season preview.
Wednesday, August 19th - Goalkeepers, Overall Preview Notes
Thursday, August 20th - Midfield, Defense
Friday, August 21st - Forwards, Schedule Overview
GOALKEEPERS:
MacMath returns to goal after a spectacular freshman season where he led the nation in goals against average (0.44). He also tied a Maryland program-record with 12 shutouts and ran off a streak of 19 consecutive wins after losing his collegiate debut to California. MacMath, a member of the U-20 US National team pool, will be looked upon to have a larger leadership role as a sophomore in 2009.
"Zac's presence in goal has improved," Cirovski said. "Physically he is much stronger and his overall confidence has risen to a higher level.
"I expect Zac to have an increased role in his leadership and organization from the back because we will have a rebuilt and redeveloped backline. Zac will be busier, at least in the earlier part of the season, and we will look to him to prevent dangerous situations before they happen through his leadership."
Maryland will also benefit from having an experienced backup goalkeeper as Will Swaim will provide added depth in goal. Swaim earned starts in six matches last season, winning four of them, including three shutout performances.
"Will is a tremendous leader on the team and a great teammate to Zac," Cirovski said. "He keeps getting better and improving every semester.
"He's more confident and his distribution and reading of the game has really improved."
Last season, Cirovski's goalkeeping unit surrendered a mere 18 goals the entire season. With that group back intact, there is reason for optimism in front of the net.
"We will be stronger at the goalkeeper position this season because both Will and Zac have improved a great deal over the offseason," Cirovski said. "Will had a great spring and summer with us and Zac had some tremendous experiences while playing with the US Macabee Games team along with the US National team in several big tournaments.
"I feel like both are improved and that should be a strength for us this season. The partnership both of those guys have is tremendous."
TERP NOTES:
Head coach Sasho Cirovski is in his 17th season at the helm of the storied Maryland men's soccer program and his 19th overall. Cirvoski's resume is nothing short of impressive, possessing a 236-102-20 record with the Terps, with a pair of national championships, 14 NCAA appearances, three ACC Tournament championships, six appearances in the College Cup, and 15-straight winning seasons. He became the winningest head coach in Maryland men's soccer history last season, passing long-time coach Doyle Royal.
Maryland established several school-records on their way to the national title last season including wins (23) and shutouts (15) in a season as well as a program-best 16-game winning streak.
Last year's College Cup was filled to the brim with ACC squads as North Carolina, Wake Forest and Maryland advanced to the final four in Frisco, Texas. Known as the premier soccer conference in the nation, the ACC appears to be tough once again in 2009 with three teams ranked in the top five according to the College Soccer News Preseason Top 30 Poll. Maryland will play host to North Carolina in a rematch of the 2008 title game on Sept. 25. The game will be televised live on Fox Soccer Channel.
Maryland ranked fifth in the nation in 2008 in attendance, averaging 2,545 per game. The Terps established a Ludwig Field-record when a then-capacity crowd of 6,500 came out for a rain-soaked No. 1 vs. No. 2 matchup between Wake Forest and the Terps. This season, Ludwig Field has grown an additional 500 seats for a total capacity of 7,000.
The Terps lost eight letterwinners from a year ago, including five that were drafted in the 2009 MLS SuperDraft. Maryland, for only the second time ever in MLS history, had three players selected in the first round, including Omar Gonzalez (3rd - L.A. Galaxy), Rodney Wallace (6th - D.C. United) and Jeremy Hall (11th - New York Red Bulls). Joining the three Generation adidas players are departed seniors A.J. Delagarza, who was nabbed by the Galaxy with the 19th pick and College Cup Most Outstanding Player Graham Zusi, who landed in Kansas City after being selected 23rd overall.
Maryland returns 42 percent of its scoring last season including Casey Townsend, who was second on the team with 11 goals in 2008. The vast majority of the set-up men return as Doug Rodkey and Matt Kassel, who ranked first and second, respectively, in assists, will be back in the starting lineup in 2009.
The program is four wins shy of reaching the 600 mark and boasts a 596-298-77 record overall (.653) and 164-117-21 (.578) in conference play.
Maryland has several streaks they look to continue in 2009. The Terps ended the 2008 season on a school-record 16-game winning streak. The program has had 15 consecutive winning seasons in addition to making seven-straight Sweet 16 appearances in the NCAA Tournament. In total, Maryland has been to 14 consecutive NCAA Tournaments while advancing to the final four in six of the last eight seasons.
Once again, Cirovski and his staff have compiled a top tier recruiting class, earning a No. 2-ranking by both Soccer America and College Soccer News. The ten-player class is highlighted by three NSCAA All-Americans, including Taylor Kemp, Jordan Cyrus and London Woodberry along with international standouts Widner Saint Cyr and Gonzalo Frechilla. 