Aug. 19, 2010

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The Maryland men's soccer team begins its 2010 exhibition slate Saturday when it plays host to St. John's at 7:30 p.m. at Ludwig Field.

The Terps, who went 15-6-2 last year and ended their season with a loss to eventual national champion Virginia in the NCAA Quarterfinals, returns nine starters in 2010. Highlighting this year's list of returners is junior goalkeeper Zac MacMath and senior forward Jason Herrick, who were both named to the MAC Hermann Trophy watch list earlier this month. Herrick led the offense with nine goals in 2009.

St. John's, who was recently picked to win the BIG EAST Red Division, captured its conference-best eighth league tournament crown last season. The Red Storm is ranked 17th by NSCAA and 12th by College Soccer News in their respective preseason national polls. The top returner for St. John's in 2010 is Sverre Wegge Gundhus (5g, 8a), who was named a First Team All-BIG EAST selection last season.

Following Saturday's friendly, Maryland, who is ranked third by College Soccer News and sixth by NSCAA, will travel to UMBC on Tuesday for a midweek exhibition against the Retrievers before concluding its preseason schedule with a match against Georgetown next Saturday in College Park.

Both exhibition matches at Ludwig Field will be free of charge.