Oct. 28, 1997

No. 14 Maryland Travels to Loyola and Clemson

A SURGING SARDIS:
Freshman forward Jason Sardis (New Hyde Park, N.Y.) has surged into the Maryland spotlight. He currently leads the team in points with 16, is tied for first in goals with five, and is second on the team in assists with six. He has scored two game-winning goals which also is a tie for first on the Terp squad. Sardis has emerged as of late, scoring in the Terps' last three matches, including his game-winning goal against Villanova. He also scored the Terps' lone goal of the day in the loss at American. Against Wake Forest, Sardis got the Terps on the board early which is a successful formula for them, and also added an assist.

HOW BIG IS THE CLEMSON GAME?
If the ACC Championship began tomorrow, the Terps would have a first-round bye by virtue of claiming the regular-season championship. On Sunday, the picture will become clearer when the Terps travel to Clemson. The Terps currently reside in first place in the ACC standings with only one loss and three wins. Duke is second with four wins and two losses. If the Terps defeat Clemson, they would capture the regular-season title and ensure themselves of a first-round bye in the tournament. However, a loss could bump them down to either third or fourth.

THE LOYOLA MEETING:
Maryland defeated Loyola, 4-0, last year. The Terps had goals from Shane Dougherty, Chris Preheim, Pierre Venditti and Jason Cropley, respectively. Loyola last defeated Maryland in 1992 (2-0).

THE CLEMSON MEETING:
Maryland has not defeated Clemson since its 1-0 win in 1989. Since then, the Tigers have gone on to outscore the Terps, 19-5 in the last seven years.

TERPS IN THE POLLS:
Maryland, who began the 1997 season ranked No. 2, fell in the polls again after its 1-0 loss to American last week. The Terps, who were ranked No. 8 in last week's NSCAA poll, are now No. 14. Maryland is ranked No. 12 in the latest Soccer News poll, and No. 13 by Soccer America.

CALLING CULLEN:
Senior defender Leo Cullen is one of 15 collegiate soccer players to be selected as a candidate for the 12th annual Missouri Athletic Club Sports Foundation Collegiate Player of the Year award. The prestigious crystal soccer ball trophy will be presented on January 9, 1998.

ARMAS IS A "PLAYER TO WATCH":
Maryland junior midfielder Steve Armas has been named one of five "Players to Watch" during the 1997 season. He was selected in balloting by approximately 1,100 coaches across the country who also participated in the Missouri Athletic Club voting.

CIROVSKI AT MARYLAND: Maryland head coach Sasho Cirovski owns a 55-34-8 record at the helm of the Terp program. Overall, Cirovski's record is 83-46-14 in seven years of coaching.

TERP LEADERS:
Goals:      Judah Cooks..................................5      
            Jason Sardis.................................5 
Assists:    Randy Merkel.................................8 
Points:     Jason Sardis................................16 

IN GOAL:
Sophomore goalkeeper Andy Kirk, a
member of the U.S. U-20 National Team and the World University Games squad, has played in 14 matches, missing the Adelphi match because of his committment to the World University Games squad. In 14 matches, Kirk has allowed 13 goals (.89 goals allowed average) and has posted five shutouts.

MARYLAND IN THE ACC:
Assists: Randy Merkel is tied for 4th with 8; Save Percentage: Andy Kirk is 5th (.776); Goals Allowed Average: Andy Kirk is 2nd (.89); Solo Shutouts: Andy Kirk is tied for 3rd (5).

TERPS IN THE SOUTH ATLANTIC REGION:
Maryland fell two spots in the South Atlantic Region rankings. The Terps are now fourth behind Virginia, American and William & Mary, respectively. Andy Kirk is ranked fifth in goals allowed average among the region leaders (.89), while Randy Merkel is tied for sixth with eight assists.