If the Maryland men's soccer team had been forced to deal with the loss of nearly half of its starting lineup a decade ago, the Terrapins would have been in a state of panic. But there's a different attitude in College Park nowadays.
When starters depart, the Terrapins just replace them with top-flight recruits. Different names, same talent level.
So when fifth-year coach Sasho Cirovski graduated his entire back line and saw goalkeeper Andy Kirk and midfielder Judah Cooks bolt early to Major League Soccer's Project-40 program, he simply re- stocked with two national players of the year -- defender Nick Downing and midfielder Taylor Twellman -- as well as Parade All-American defensive midfielders Dan Califf and Beckett Hollenbach.
This blue-chip recruiting class has become a major reason why Maryland is on most publications' preseason top 10 lists and the favorite for the Atlantic Coast Conference title.
"The group of players we have coming in aren't just freshmen, they are freshmen-plus," Cirovski said. "There is a tremendous character and sense of maturity with this group. Many of them are mature beyond their years."
The Terps will mix their youth with several experienced offensive weapons, including All-America candidates Keith Beach, Pierre Venditti, Steve Armas and Randy Merkel.
In total, Maryland returns seven of its top eight scorers from a year ago, when the Terps finished 16-6-1 and advanced to a school-record, fourth straight NCAA tournament second-round appearance. Although an upset loss to Seton Hall last week dropped the Terps to No. 22, they still remain focused on capturing the school's first national championship.
"For me, it is perhaps the most exciting season I have entered into since my second year here," Cirovski said. "There is going to be a level of energy and enthusiasm this year that is unmatched."
A look at the rest of the area's Division I teams:
Men
Coach: Bill Sento
1997 record: 9-10-2 (7-2 in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference)
Top players: Peter Troilo, Jr., D; Eric Coles, Sr., D; Christof Lindenmayer, Jr., F/MF; Mike Werle, Soph., D; Miguel Abreu, Fr.; MF/F; John Farese, Fr., F; Andrew Ogilvie, Fr., MF; Ryan Scharfenberger, Soph., F/MF; Dave Frieder, Sr., GK.
Outlook: The Greyhounds had one of their most disappointing seasons under Sento, ending their eight-year MAAC championship reign. Loyola looks to rebound quickly with seven returning starters and 14 newcomers, including Abreu, a two-time high school All-American and the New Jersey Player of the Year. "We went through some adversity last year, there's no question about that," Sento said. "We're really looking to put last year completely behind us."
UMBC
Coach: Pete Caringi
1997 record: 5-12-2 (2-4-1 in Big South)
Top players: Ted Lawler, Sr., F; Ryan Lampton, Soph., F; Ryan Cuomo, Soph., F; Kurt Meyers, Jr., MF; Matt Joseph, Fresh., MF; P.J. Wakefield, Fresh., MF; Matt Gormley, Soph., MF/D; Billy Nelson, Soph., D/MF; Mike Griffith, Jr., GK.
Outlook: After 15 straight winning seasons, Caringi has seen the Retrievers slip to 9-9-1 in 1996 and to 5-12-2 last year. Yet he is extremely optimistic about UMBC's first season in the Northeast Conference, with several strong area recruits as well as the return of Lawler, last season's Big South Player of the Year, and six seasoned sophomores. "This is the best recruiting class we've had here," Caringi said.
Coach: Mark Mettrick
1997 record: 10-6-2 (2-2-2 in Northeast Conference)
Top players: Simon Hodkin, Jr., MF; Duncan Gladwin, Jr., F; Jeff Link, Sr., MF; Chris Hallatt, Soph., MF; Daniel Gerrard, Fr., D/MF; Greg Loftus, Sr., MF; Rob Ray, Soph., GK; Brian Wright, Fr., F/MF.
Outlook: The Mountaineers lost six starters and a dozen letter-winners, which included Mark Southern, the school's all-time assists leader. Hodkin and Gladwin, who combined for 20 goals and 15 assists last year, will control the ball up front.
Navy
Coach: Greg Myers
1997 record: 6-11-1 (2-4 in Patriot League)
Top players: Stephen Earl, Sr., F; Matt Neely, Jr., F; Michael Paisant, Soph., F; David Perry, Sr., MF/D; Brye Gerhardt, Fr., MF; Kevin Campbell, Sr., GK; Duane Hess, Sr., MF; Mike Bagrosky, Jr., MF; Brian Lubitz, Jr., D.
Outlook: Myers, entering his 23rd season, will be banking on his defense while trying to find a way to improve the Midshipmen's scoring (1.2 goals per game), with five of their top seven scorers back. The defense took an unexpected blow when senior Alan Baca suffered a broken leg and is out indefinitely. "If we're going to be a serious threat to anyone, it's got to start on defense," Myers said.
Coach: Frank Olszewski
1997 record: 9-8 (3-6 in America East)
Top players: Richie Moller, Sr., F; Andy Stroud, Sr., D; Kevin Henderson, Sr., MF; Ethan Jennings, Sr., GK; Peter Medd, Sr., M; Chris Carpenter, Jr., MF; Colin Crew, Soph., D; Matt DeOrsey, Sr., F; Frank Sweeney, Sr., MF.
Outlook: The Tigers return a nucleus of seven seniors, five of whom are back for their fifth year. Moller is an explosive scorer, ranking among the nation's top 25 Division I scorers with 15 goals and six assists. After posting three straight winning seasons, Towson has its sights set on returning to the America East playoffs for the first time since 1995.
Women
Loyola
Coach: Joe Mallia
1997 record: 13-6-2 (8-1 in MAAC)
Top players: Jaime DeSoto, Sr., MF; Melissa Martenak, Jr., D; Jess Sheehan, Soph., F; Kim Walter, Soph., GK; Amy Goetzinger, Jr., D; Meredith Shea, Sr. D; Karen Giusti, Jr., F; Denise O'Connor, Soph., F.
Outlook: Mallia, an assistant under Dave Gerrity for four years, takes over the Greyhounds, who return eight starters, including four All-MAAC selections.
Maryland
Coach: Alan Kirkup
1997 record: 12-9-3 (4-3 in ACC)
Top players: Emmy Harbo, Sr., F; Keri Sarver, Sr., F; Robin McCullough, Sr., MF; Julie Nelson, Jr., MF; Lindsay Basalyga, Jr., F; Jackie Mynarski, Jr., D; Emily Janss, Jr., D; Abby Bausman, Sr., MF; Laura Varela, Sr., D.
Outlook: The Terrapins, who were ranked in nearly every preseason Top 25 poll, return their entire defense from last year's ACC finalists, as well as the highest-scoring front line in school history. Harbo and Sarver have combined for 84 goals and 209 total points in their first three years. Janss leads a defense that allowed just 1.6 goals per game last season.
UMBC
Coach: Denise Schilte
1997 record: 7-5 (3-1 in Big South)
Top players: Erin Lesh, Soph., F; Theresa Rosbert, Jr., MF/F; Mandy Robins, Jr., GK; Michelle Clare, Jr., D; Jennifer Kuehn, Jr., D; Jennifer Baker, Soph., D; Nicole Brooks, Fr., F; Carly Sosslau, Jr., MF.
Outlook: Schilte, a 1996 UMBC graduate and the school's all-time leading scorer, inherits a team that lost nearly half of its offensive production but returns Robins (1.20 goals-against average) in goal.
Mount St. Mary's
Coach: Paul Wood
1997 record: 4-12-2 (3-2-1 in Northeast Conference)
Top players: Robin Coveleski, Jr., MF/F; Nicki Trumpler, Sr., GK; Amanda Gilbert, Sr., D; Kelly Shiel, Fr., D/MF; Lacey Morley, Jr., MF; Rachel Gaes, Fr., MF; Sarah McGinley, Sr., MF/D.
Outlook: Coming off their worst season since 1993, the Mountaineers will look to rebuild under first-year coach Wood. It's already become a difficult season since the Mount has already lost two starters and its backup goalkeeper to season-ending injuries.
Navy
Coach: Carin Gabarra
1997 record: 10-8 (4-2 in Patriot League)
Top players: Nicole Aunapu, Sr., D; Margaret Ewers, Soph., D; Shannon Filbin, Jr., F; Anne Kipp, Sr., MF; Kristen Riismandel, Jr., MF; Michelle Nance, Jr., MF; Amy Mills, Sr., MF; Christine Weeks, Sr., F; Katie Moore, Fr., F; Vanessa Solon, Fr., F.
Outlook: With five all-conference players back, it's the most experienced group in Gabarra's six years at the academy. Aunapu, the Patriot League's Defender of the Year, headlines the Mids, who won six of their final eight games last season.
Towson
Coach: Woody Sherwood
1997 record: 14-6-1 (7-2 in America East)
Top players: Tina Steck, Soph., GK; Jen Bauer, Soph., D; Katie Kiley, Soph., F; Shelly Seivert, Sr., D; Bridget Harthausen, Jr., MF; Kari Colsey, Sr., MF; Amy Miller, Jr., D; Karen Coster, Soph., PTC F; Stacey Ring, Fr., F.
Outlook: Nine starters return for the Tigers, but the graduation of their top goal scorer, Christie Landi, makes them vulnerable offensively. So Towson will rely on a defensive unit that allowed just 22 goals in 21 games last season.
Pub Date: 9/11/98