March 28, 2005
College Park, Md. -
March 28, 2005
College Park, Md. -
The University of Maryland Athletics Department today announced that head women's soccer coach Shannon Higgins-Cirovski is stepping down from her position as head coach due to family reasons.
"Shannon is a terrific coach and an even better person," said Maryland Athletics Director Deborah A. Yow. "We were blessed to have her at Maryland, leading our women's soccer program for six years. She brought an energy and passion for the game that inspired her players and resulted in many memorable wins. She is a pioneer in women's soccer and has opened the door for many young women to pursue their dreams."
Higgins-Cirovski compiled a 62-51-10 (.549) record during her six seasons at the helm of the Terrapin women's soccer program. Under her tutelage Maryland has earned berths into the NCAA tournament five times, including a run to the Sweet 16 in 2004.
Said Higgins-Cirovski, "The demands of the profession have risen at the same time as the demands of our home life. I am stepping down for reasons that are consistent with my values of family. No one cares more about Maryland women's soccer than I. I am very proud of what we've accomplished over the past six years and it is difficult for me to leave the players, the staff and this university. I am confident the program is in excellent shape and the administration will find a coach with the values and philosophy consistent with our current program."
Higgins-Cirovski was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 2002, becoming just the third woman, and the youngest person ever, to be enshrined. She was a two-time first team All-American as a player at the University of North Carolina, where she helped lead the Tar Heels to four NCAA championships. In 1989 she was awarded the prestigious Hermann Award as the Nation's top Division I women's soccer player, as well as the Honda-Broderick Award as the top female athlete in the nation.
She began her college coaching career in 1991 at George Washington University. During her seven seasons as the Colonials' head coach she compiled a 69-59-11 (.536) record and lead her team to the school's first and only NCAA tournament berth in 1996. She was later inducted into the George Washington University Athletic Hall of Fame in February 2003.
She was named head coach at Maryland on January 13, 1999. During her tenure at Maryland, Higgins-Cirovski was a two-time ACC Coach of the Year and lead her teams to victories over 16 Top 25 teams.
Higgins-Cirovski turned in her finest coaching job in 2004. With a roster depleted due to various injuries, she guided the Terps to the NCAA Tournament's Sweet 16. Of Maryland's nine victories, three were over Top 10 teams, including a 1-0 upset over No. 2 seed Penn State in State College, Pa., snapping the Nittany Lions' 39-game home winning streak.
Overall, she compiled a 131-110-21 (.540) record as a head coach.
A national search for Higgins-Cirovski's successor will begin immediately with a goal of having the new coach in place by mid-May.
