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From the raleigh news & observer:



Published: Dec 09, 2005 12:30 AM
Modified: Dec 09, 2005 06:56 AM


Terps aim to kick habit



Rachel Carter, Staff Writer
The Maryland Terrapins are returning to the NCAA Men's College Cup for the fourth straight season, again in search of the title they didn't win in the previous three trips.
They won their last national championship in men's soccer in 1968.

Today, the top-seeded Terrapins (17-4-2) battle unseeded Southern Methodist (14-5-3) at 4 p.m. in the NCAA semifinals at SAS Soccer Park.

"We've done our best every year so far. It's not like there's any added pressure," Maryland forward Jason Garey said. "We've got to go out and play well to win the game."Maryland is the only team with players who have been in this situation. Still, the Terrapins don't consider that a huge benefit.

"Our coaches and players have learned a few things about the preparation leading up the game," Maryland coach Sasho Cirovski said, "but that's where the advantages stop. The game is still won within the 90 minutes inside the lines."

In each of Maryland's three most recent attempts to win the national title, one goal has been the difference between victory and defeat.

* In the 2004 semifinals, the Terrapins lost 3-2 in double overtime to eventual champion Indiana. The Hoosiers' winning goal came with 48 seconds left in the second overtime.

* In the 2003 semifinals, Maryland lost 1-0 to St. John's despite outshooting the Red Storm 24-9.

* In the 2002 semifinals, eventual champion UCLA won 2-1 after scoring on a penalty kick with eight minutes left.

"We've played some great teams," Cirovski said. "Indiana was the national champion. Three years ago, we lost to UCLA, and they were the champions. We lost to St. John's, and they were clearly one of the best teams in the country, so I think when you get to this level, you're playing great teams.

"We haven't gotten the balls to bounce our way, perhaps, but I'd rather credit our opponents for the quality of the teams. Soccer's a fickle game."

Maryland has reached this point after struggling in its first month. The Terrapins lost three of their first four road games before bouncing back.

Maryland has a high-scoring offense behind national player of the year candidate Garey, who has 20 of the Terrapins' 61 goals.

The Terrapins' offensive output is a calculated strategy. Cirovski says college soccer needs to put more fans in the seats, and, at Maryland, it's working. There were 4,129 fans at Maryland's quarterfinals game.

Two busloads and a car caravan full of Terrapins faithful are scheduled to arrive today from College Park, Md., to cheer their team.

"They call themselves 'The Crew,' and they're at every home game," Maryland senior defender Chris Lancos said. "They were at our last home game three hours before it started.

"Having them here definitely helps the players, as far as motivation and keeping us up."

Staff writer Rachel Carter can be reached at 829-8953 or rcarter@newsobserver.com

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