COLLEGE PARK - A long nightmare has ended for the University of Maryland men's soccer team. Now, the dream is in progress.
The Terrapins' first appearance in the NCAA College Cup - soccer's final four - since 1998 and only the second in 23 years is the product of an intense resolve to erase the memory of two seasons in which a seemingly unending siege of injuries undermined all their hopes.
"We went through two years of hell," said coach Sasho Cirovski. "We're now seeing the benefits of having guys come back and be very hungry."
Maryland (20-4) has already broken the school's single-season record for victories while recording four straight shutouts - over Virginia in the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament final and American, Saint Louis and a highly regarded Connecticut squad in the NCAA tournament's earlier rounds.
Always talented but never hale enough, the Terrapins have realized two of their three objectives for the season: the ACC title and an undefeated record at home (13-0). Only the NCAA championship remains on the list.
"We've been through an awful lot," said defender Seth Stammler. "We play every day thinking we want to do something special as a team, and we're willing to sacrifice to do it."
In 1998, Maryland, anchored by midfielder Keith Beach, reached the NCAA semifinals before losing to Stanford, 1-0. A year later, with forward Taylor Twellman and defender Dan Califf as the bulwarks, the team again made the tournament field, but dropped a 1-0 match to St. John's in the first round.
Then, the nightmare began.
High school All-American A.J. Herrera, gifted midfielder Sumed Ibrahim, Scott Buete, now the traffic director from the middle, and Jason Arnold went down with foot fractures in 2000, and Siba Mohammed was lost with a knee injury.
"This was also the period when it was in vogue to go to the pros," said Maryland athletic director Debbie Yow. "We never like to see that unless they have their degrees. The one exception is, say, a [basketball All-American] Juan Dixon, who can get millions of dollars and come back and get a degree. That is not the case in soccer."
Twellman, a recruiting coup for Cirovski out of St. Louis, and Califf were among the departees.
As a result, the Terps strained for a winning record (10-9) and went 1-5 in the ACC, failing to make the NCAA tourney in 2000.
Then Abe Thompson, the striker supreme, twice broke a foot and missed 18 months. On top of that, Domenic Mediate, who has scored four of the five Terps goals in this year's NCAAs, played through three hernia operations in 2001, and a recovered Sumed was forced to carry most of the offensive load.
In addition, Clarence Goodson, another key player, enrolled in a junior college to upgrade his academic standing during the 2001 season and was not on the roster. Others missed significant time with lesser injuries.
During the turndown, coaches often had to play in team scrimmages and drills to conduct adequatepractices.
Again, the team struggled, going 11-9-1 and 1-4-1 in the league. A higher-ranked Loyola team eliminated the Terps in the second round of the NCAAs.
"We went through some tough times," said Cirovski. "We had more guys on crutches and boots than healthy. A lot of people were sitting."
"It was really frustrating seeing all those guys on the bench," said Stammler.
"We didn't have all the ingredients," said goalkeeper Noah Palmer. "Now, they're back and we really have a strong will to win."
The coach expanded the roster to 24 to safeguard against another injury attack. And, this year, everyone has remained on the field and focused.
"They are a very determined group," said Connecticut coach Ray Reid after his team was dismantled, 3-0, Saturday before a season-high 3,460 spectators at Ludwig Field. "Maryland played with a lot of heart."
Perhaps the most striking quality of this team is its youth. There is nary a senior on the roster, although Sumed, Herrera, Buete and Siba are redshirt juniors, having gained an extra year of eligibility because of their injuries. Thompson, the team's leading scorer, is only a sophomore by eligibility.
"We have some maturity and leadership," said Cirovski. "I'm excited as anyone can be because I've had to do virtually no recruiting this year. That's been a blessing, because I've been able to put all my attention on the next game, the here and now."
Ranked No. 1 nationally in the Soccer America poll and second and third in two others last week, the Terrapins are well equipped to be an NCAA title threat again next season.
"Fortunately, going pro seems to be out of vogue now," said Yow.
Balance is another important factor. Sophomore goalkeeper Palmer has improved game by game, making three big early saves against Connecticut to thwart a high-powered offense. The defense featuring Stammler and Goodson, two converted strikers, and midfielders Buete and Ian Rodway (Wilde Lake), has been rock solid of late.
Thompson, the speedy Mediate, Sumed and American University transfer Nino Marcantonio provide plenty of firepower.
And with an expanded roster, Cirovski has the depth necessary to keep players fresh and hustling.
"I can't say I'm surprised that we're back," said Yow. "We have a tremendous amount of respect for Sasho. He's special. That's why he's working on a long-term contract. I knew there was a great chance we'd get to the final four again."
Maryland has won nine national championships since 1994 during Yow's watch, seven in women's lacrosse, one in field hockey and the men's basketball crown last spring. There have been numerous other final four appearances.
The year 2002 has been especially rewarding, with the football team playing in the Orange Bowl, the NCAA basketball title and now the men's soccer team in the national semifinals.
"I'm pleased, but I think we've only scratched the surface of what we can do," said Yow. "We have other rising stars coaching here now. I'm proud for Maryland fans. I love to watch the pride on their faces."
Maryland, the top remaining seed in the tourney at No. 2, has turned aside tough opposition so far, and the journey won't lighten Friday against UCLA, seeded third and a 7-1 victor over Penn State in the quarterfinals.
"This is a 26-mile marathon, and we've got two more to end it," said Cirovski. "We've been there before. We know how devastating it is not to finish it."
Next for Terps
NCAA semifinal: Maryland (20-4) vs. UCLA (16-3-3)
Site:Gerald J. Ford Stadium, Dallas
When:Friday, 5 p.m.
TV: ESPN2