July 1, 1997
Leo Cullen Named 1997 Player of the Year Candidate
#11 Leo Cullen
Defense
Sr., 5-10
Burnsville, Minn.
St. Paul Academy
1997 Player of the Year Candidate
1996 Soccer America First Team All-American
1996 NSCAA Second Team All-American
1996 Missouri Athletic Club award finalist
1996 Hermann Trophy Finalist
1996 First Team All-ACC and All-South Atlantic Region
On Cullen: A 1997 Player of the Year candidate ... will serve as the 1997 team captain ... a 1996 NSCAA Second Team All-America selection ... a 1996 Soccer America First Team All-American ... a third-place finisher in the 1996 Missouri Athletic Club award balloting ... one of four finalists for the Hermann Trophy in 1996 ... earned his second consecutive First Team All-ACC honor in 1996, and also earned First Team All-South Atlantic Region honors ... the glue of the Terrapin defense ... one of the most remarkable defenders in Maryland men's soccer history ... his defensive skills make him one of the most feared players in the country ... extraordinary at anchoring and directing the defense ... an excellent passer with great field vision ... a member of the Soccer America All-Freshman team in 1994 ... moved from the midfield to the sweeper position after his freshman campaign ... selected the Parade Magazine High School Player of the Year in 1993 ... a member of the U.S. Under-20 and Under-21 National Teams ... the 1993 Minnesota High School Player of the Year ...
In 1996: Earned NSCAA Second Team All-America honors ... a third-place finisher in the Missouri Athletic Club award balloting ... one of four finalists for the Hermann Trophy ... a First Team All-ACC selection and All-South Atlantic Region selection ... played and started in 22 games, missing one game because of injury ... finished tied for second in assists with six ... totaled six points ...
Before Maryland: The 1993 Parade Magazine Player of the Year ... the 1993 Minnesota High School Player of the Year ... named as a Parade Magazine All-American following both his junior and senior seasons ... selected NSCAA All-American in 1993 ... a two-time First Team All-State selection ... named the Metro Player of the Year by the Minnesota Star Tribune ... captained the U.S. Under-20 National Team and the Under-18 National Team ...
Personal: Leo is the son of Mary and Dan Cullen ... born February 26, 1976 ... a Business major.
Q & A WITH LEO CULLEN ...
You were one of the top prospects coming out of high school in 1994. Why did you chose Maryland after it had finished with a record of 3-14-1 the year before? Even after Maryland's 3-14-1 season, it was ostensible to me the program was headed in the right direction. The wonderful coaching staff and terrific core of players attracted me to what has become the most rewarding decision of my life.
What does the Maryland experience mean to you? The Maryland experience has meant devoting ourselves to setting a standard in college soccer that we hope others will choose to follow.
What has been your most memorable Maryland soccer experience? My most memorable experience to date has been the way we (the Maryland team) pulled ourselves together during last year's ACC Championship. With our backs against the wall, we overcame adversity en route to reaching one of our highest goals.
