COLLEGE PARK, Md. – Following a men's soccer national championship and a field hockey national finals appearance, Maryland currently ranks among the Top 20 schools in the Learfield Directors' Cup fall standings.
The Terps earned 100 points for the men's soccer national championship and 90 points for field hockey's runner-up finish in the NCAA Tournament. The 190 total points ranks Maryland fifth among all Big Ten schools and No. 20 nationally.
"I am very proud of the accomplishments of all of our outstanding student-athletes and coaches," said Maryland Athletic Director Damon Evans. "There were a number of exciting victories this season and we look forward to the rest of the athletic year."
The Maryland men's soccer team captured the program's fourth national title, defeating Akron, 1-0, in the national title game. Maryland is the sixth school to win four Division I men's soccer titles. The national championship was the third for head coach Sasho Cirovski, who is the ninth coach to win three-plus Division I national titles. Maryland's squad was highlighted by senior captain Amar Sejdic, who was named the NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Offensive Player and second-team All-American defender Donovan Pines.
The Terps finished the season on a 9-1-1 tear after starting the season 4-5-3. Maryland scored in 12 straight matches to end the season after not scoring in the first 476 minutes of the year. The squad's stingy defense finished the season without giving up a goal in their last 500 minutes of play, including the entire NCAA Tournament. The Terps ended the year ranked No. 1 after not being ranked throughout the entirety of the regular season.
The Maryland field hockey team finished at No. 2 in the final poll of the season and advanced to its second straight NCAA Championship game. The Terrapins earned a record of 22-3 and swept the Big Ten regular season and tournament titles. Senior Linnea Gonzales was named NFHCA National Player of the Year and Big Ten Player of the Year as well.
The Learfield Directors' Cup was developed as a joint effort between the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) and USA Today. Points are awarded based on each institution's finish in NCAA Championships.
The final Division I fall standings will be released Thursday, January 10, 2019. The first set of winter standings will be released March 7, 2019.
– Maryland –
