Maryland will be making its fourth consecutive NCAA tournament appearance when it plays host to Fairfield on Wednesday.

The Stags (18-1), winners of 15 straight, automatically qualified for the tournament with a 1-0 victory over Loyola in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference championship game yesterday.

The Terrapins (10-10-1), who lost in the NCAA's first round last year, are one of only two teams to make this year's tournament without a winning record.

The Maryland-Fairfield winner will move to the second round to play at William and Mary (15-2-2), which had a first-round bye.

Maryland lost six of its final eight games, including its final two by a combined two goals. However, the Terps became the Atlantic Coast Conference's fifth NCAA entry as a result of three victories over ranked teams and a schedule that included 11 schools that received tournament bids.

In yesterday's MAAC final, Fairfield's Pam Cluff scored on a direct kick from 25 yards out with 3: 53 left in double overtime to lift the host Stags past Loyola for their second consecutive title.

Pub Date: 11/09/98