Maryland Athletics - University of Maryland Official Athletic Site - Men's Soccer

Oct. 22, 1997

No. 8 Maryland Travels To American

Resumes ACC Action, Hosting Wake Forest

TIME CHANGE: The Maryland versus Wake Forest match on Saturday is now at 8 p.m. to accomodate the 3:30 start of the football game.

TERPS REBOUND: After a disappointing 1-0 loss to Richmond at home, the then-third-ranked Terrapins rebounded to defeat Villanova, 4-0, last Saturday night. Freshman forward Jason Sardis scored the game-winning goal and added four assists on the evening.

ROAD FRIENDLY: Maryland is liking the road...the Terps own a perfect 6-0 record on the road.

FINALLY, A WIN AT HOME!: Maryland's 4-0 win over Villanova marked the first Terp win at home since its 3-1 win over Mount St. Mary's on September 17. The Terps had lost back-to-back home games against N.C. State and Richmond, respectively. The four goals scored against Villanova was also the highest number of goals scored at home this year.

THE LAST TIME THEY MET: Maryland and American played to a 1-1 overtime tie last year at Ludwig Field. Jason Cropley scored the Terps' only goal of the day. Maryland met Wake Forest twice last season. During the regular season, Wake Forest defeated the Terps, 1-0, and the Terps answered with a 5-1 win over the Deacs in the semifinals of the ACC Tournament.

TERPS IN THE POLLS: Maryland, who began the 1997 season ranked No. 2, fell in the polls again after its 1-0 loss to Richmond last week. The Terps, who were ranked No. 3 in last week's NSCAA poll, are now No. 8. Maryland is ranked No. 6 in the latest Soccer News poll, and No. 8 by Soccer America.

SCOUTING THE EAGLES: American owns an 8-2-3 record entering Wednesday's match...are 5-2-2 versus top 25 teams...the Eagle offense is led by senior forward Scott Pearson who has scored eight goals and five assists (21 points)...junior goalie Jeff Angelucci owns a .90 GAA.

ABOUT THE DEACONS: Wake Forest owns a 7-6 overall record, 1-2 in the ACC...defeated N.C. State, 4-0...goalkeepr Sean Conner is third in the ACC with a .88 GAA.

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 54-33-8 record at the helm of the Terp program. Overall, Cirovski's record is 82-45-14 in seven years of coaching.

TERP LEADERS:
Goals:      Judah Cooks.................................5 
Assists:    Randy Merkel................................7 
Points:     Judah Cooks................................14

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 11 matches, missing the Adelphi match because of his committment to the World University Games squad. In 11 matches, Kirk has allowed nine goals (.72 goals allowed average) and has posted five shutouts. His .72 GAA ties him for first in the ACC, and places him 15th in the country.

MARYLAND IN THE ACC: 
Assists: Randy Merkel is tied for 7th with 7; 
Save Percentage: Andy Kirk is 5th (.813); 
Goals Allowed Average: Andy Kirk is tied for 1st (.72); 
Solo Shutouts: Andy Kirk is 3rd (5).

KIRK AMONG NATIONAL LEADERS: Sophomore goalkeeper Andy Kirk is tied for 13th in the country in goals allowed average with a .72.