National Soccer Coaches

SoccerNational Soccer Coaches Association of America -- Named Indiana's Jerry Yeagley the top NCAA Division I men's coach and Chris Petrucelli of Notre Dame the top women's coach.

One day early last year, Joshua Walters was a high school girls soccer coach in Tallahassee, Fla., preparing his team for a regional playoff game. Just a couple of months later, in April, he was stationed in Afghanistan as a first lieutenant in the Florida National Guard, watching a girl die in his arms. "It pushed me," said Walters, 27. "I went to my boss and said `I've got to do something.' I know soccer and that's where I thought I could relate with them." He has related, effectively using the world's most popular game as a way to bridge cultural gaps by heading an effort to have playing fields made, conducting coaching courses for the Afghanistan youth and setting up adult games between locals and coalition forces.

Calvert Hall soccer coach Bill Karpovich was named national Coach of the Year at the National Soccer Coaches of America convention in Pittsburgh during the weekend.Karpovich has compiled a 318-72-22 record in 25 years at Calvert Hall, winning 15 Maryland Scholastic Association A Conference titles, including 10 in the past 12 years.

Moves Baseball MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL: Named Devil Rays P Dewon Brazelton recipient of Tony Conigliaro Award for overcoming adversity through spirit, determination and courage. ... Named Jeff Idelson, VP of communications and education for National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, recipient of Robert O. Fishel Award for public relations excellence. ANGELS: Signed free-agent OF Steve Finley, a former Oriole who was with Dodgers last season, to two-year, $14 million contract with option for 2007.

Anne Arundel Community College sophomore forward Jody Haislip has been named second-team All-American by the National Soccer Coaches Association.Haislip (North County High) had 21 goals and 13 assists this season."We thought he had a good shot [at being selected] at the beginning of the year," said Pioneers coach Ken Wolf, whose team went 15-6. "It depended on how well he played and how well the team played. Both, collectively, had a successful year."Haislip, Anne Arundel's all-time leading scorer, will receive his award during the NSCA convention Jan. 16 in Baltimore.

PHILADELPHIA -- Severna Park High's Joyce Stefancik was named high school Division I Coach of the Year last night at the National Soccer Coaches Association of America convention."

Calvert Hall soccer coach Bill Karpovich was named national Coach of the Year at the National Soccer Coaches of America convention in Pittsburgh during the weekend.Karpovich has compiled a 318-72-22 record in 25 years at Calvert Hall, winning 15 Maryland Scholastic Association A Conference titles, including 10 in the past 12 years. This season, Karpovich led the Cardinals to a 17-1 record and a second consecutive MSA A Conference championship.Karpovich, who was one of eight regional winners eligible for the national award, was unable to attend the convention.

Fallston High's Shane Dougherty, The Baltimore Sun Player of the Year in 1992, has signed to play soccer at Maryland, Terrapins head coach Sasho Cirovski announced yesterday.Dougherty also earned All-America honors from Parade magazine and the National Soccer Coaches Association of America. A native of Kingsville, he was a four-year starter at Fallston. He helped to lead Fallston to its first state championship in 1991 and finished as the school's career leader in assists (34) and was second all-time in scoring (70 points)

Moves Baseball MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL: Named Devil Rays P Dewon Brazelton recipient of Tony Conigliaro Award for overcoming adversity through spirit, determination and courage. ... Named Jeff Idelson, VP of communications and education for National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, recipient of Robert O. Fishel Award for public relations excellence. ANGELS: Signed free-agent OF Steve Finley, a former Oriole who was with Dodgers last season, to two-year, $14 million contract with option for 2007.

BaseballBlue Jays: Agreed to terms with C Charlie O'Brien on a two-year contract.Cardinals: Signed OF Willie McGee to one-year contract.Expos: Acquired P Omar Daal from the Dodgers for P Rick Clelland and 2B Jhonny Carvajal from the Reds for P Gabe White.Dodgers: Agreed to two-year, $6 million contract with P Tom Candiotti.Mets: Agreed to terms with OF Chris Jones.Padres: Acquired OF Jeff Barry from the Mets for P Pedro Martinez.Rangers: Signed IF Kurt Stillwell and P Mike Anderson.Red Sox: Agreed to terms with P Mike Maddux on a one-year contract.

The Maryland men's team is ranked No. 1 by Soccer America for the first time in its history.The Terrapins (3-1) have won three straight games and beat Virginia, 1-0, on Sunday to record their first home victory over the Cavaliers since 1977. After losing to defending national champion Indiana to open its season, Maryland has outscored Butler, Marshall and Virginia by a combined 10-2 to jump from the No. 4 position and take over the top ranking from UCLA, which lost to Florida International on Friday.

COLLEGE PARK -- Some observers consider the Maryland men's soccer team extremely young. Others view the Terrapins as very experienced.Yet everyone seems to agree where Maryland stands on the national scene.On the first media day in coach Sasho Cirovski's seven seasons at Maryland, the Terrapins fielded questions about the growing expectations, since two national publications selected them in their top three.The rankings -- No. 3 by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America and No. 2 by Soccer America -- represent the best preseason standings for the Terps under Cirovski.

BaseballDevil Rays: Agreed to one-year contract with C John Flaherty. Sent OF Luke Wilcox outright to Triple-A Durham.Rangers: Placed IF Domingo Cedeno on waivers for purpose of giving him unconditional release.BasketballSioux Falls (CBA): Activated F Devin Gray (St. Frances).CollegeNational Soccer Coaches Association of America: Named Towson University F Richie Moller to All-America second team and Maryland M Keith Beach to third team.Arkansas: Named Alan Kirkup women's soccer coach; he had been at Maryland.

For Centennial's Matt Laycock, a phone call Feb. 2 brought a sense of deja vu.The fifth-ranked Eagles basketball team's leading scorer (19.2) and rebounder (8.5) was called unexpectedly to the U.S. National under-18 soccer tryout camp in San Diego.He will be there through Sunday. Only 26 players are invited, and 18 will be selected to play in Italy in March.Laycock, who has accepted a soccer scholarship to North Carolina and is a National Soccer Coaches of America All-American, also missed six games his sophomore season because of soccer committments.

PHILADELPHIA -- Severna Park High's Joyce Stefancik was named high school Division I Coach of the Year last night at the National Soccer Coaches Association of America convention."

BaseballBlue Jays: Agreed to terms with C Charlie O'Brien on a two-year contract.Cardinals: Signed OF Willie McGee to one-year contract.Expos: Acquired P Omar Daal from the Dodgers for P Rick Clelland and 2B Jhonny Carvajal from the Reds for P Gabe White.Dodgers: Agreed to two-year, $6 million contract with P Tom Candiotti.Mets: Agreed to terms with OF Chris Jones.Padres: Acquired OF Jeff Barry from the Mets for P Pedro Martinez.Rangers: Signed IF Kurt Stillwell and P Mike Anderson.Red Sox: Agreed to terms with P Mike Maddux on a one-year contract.

The Maryland men's team is ranked No. 1 by Soccer America for the first time in its history.The Terrapins (3-1) have won three straight games and beat Virginia, 1-0, on Sunday to record their first home victory over the Cavaliers since 1977. After losing to defending national champion Indiana to open its season, Maryland has outscored Butler, Marshall and Virginia by a combined 10-2 to jump from the No. 4 position and take over the top ranking from UCLA, which lost to Florida International on Friday.

SoccerNational Soccer Coaches Association of America -- Named Indiana's Jerry Yeagley the top NCAA Division I men's coach and Chris Petrucelli of Notre Dame the top women's coach.