September 04, 2009|By Mike Klingaman | Mike Klingaman,mike.klingaman@baltsun.com
COLLEGE PARK - -It might not know where it's headed, but Maryland's NCAA champion men's soccer team will know where it has been when it opens the season at 8 tonight against No. 9 UCLA.
During player introductions, the top-ranked Terps will burst through a ceremonial goal anchored on the sideline of Ludwig Field - the same goal in which Maryland scored the game-winner in the 2008 College Cup final. Coach Sasho Cirovski paid $10,000 to have the goal replaced and this one shipped from the tournament site in Texas where the Terps (23-3) won their second national title in four years.
In another corner of Ludwig Field, for all to see, sits the goal from the team's 2005 championship.
"Our goal is to fill out all four corners," said sophomore Matt Kassel, an All-Atlantic Coast Conference midfielder. "Obviously, it all starts now."
Maryland enters with a 16-game winning streak but a lineup far different from the one that defeated North Carolina, 1-0, in the College Cup final. Gone are five key starters, including three underclassmen who, in a move that upstaged Terps basketball, left school early to turn pro. All three were first-round Major League Soccer draft picks.
Meanwhile, UCLA (10-5-6) is itching to avenge last season's 2-1 loss to Maryland, in which the Terps tied the score in the 90th minute and won in overtime.
"They'll probably start seven seniors, and we'll start seven freshmen and sophomores," Cirovski said. "We'll have our hands full the first two games with UCLA and California" on Sunday.
"Obviously, when we scheduled these games, we hadn't planned on losing three underclassmen. We thought the cupboard would be a little more full. But this will be a real good test for our young team right out of the gate."
Other top returning players include forward Casey Townsend (11 goals last season); midfielder Doug Rodkey, the team leader in assists; and All-ACC goalie Zac MacMath, whose 12 shutouts tied a school record.
"Forget '08," said Rodkey, the only senior in that bunch. "We've got to start our own trend. Do we have the ability to contend again? I think we do."
Could Maryland add another keepsake goal to its collection? Cirovski won't comment.
"All I know is that Ludwig Field is becoming more and more beautiful every day," he said.
NO. 9 UCLA @ NO. 1 MARYLAND
Tonight, 8
