Sasho

COLLEGE PARK - When the Maryland men's soccer team launches its season today in Omaha, Neb., the familiar face of coach Sasho Cirovski will be missing from the sidelines. Normally, that would be cause for concern against a nationally ranked foe such as Furman, but this team is expected to take his absence in stride. "I don't think it's a big deal, and I don't think it'll affect us," said junior striker Abe Thompson, the leading returning scorer from a Terps squad that reached the national Division I semifinals before a controversy-filled, 2-1 loss to UCLA.

DALLAS - The Maryland men's soccer team's dream to bring back the school's second national championship ended yesterday amid a storm of controversy. Terrapins coach Sasho Cirovski was issued a red card and was not around to see UCLA junior Adolfo Gregorio drill home a penalty shot with a little more than eight minutes to play. That goal sent the third-seeded Bruins to a 2-1 victory over second-seeded Maryland before 7,025 in the semifinals of the College Cup at Gerald J. Ford Stadium on the campus of Southern Methodist University.

COLLEGE PARK -- Senior defender Michael Nelson headed in a free kick from senior midfielder A.J. Ogilvie in the second minute, then led a stellar defensive effort to give the Loyola men's soccer team a 1-0 upset of No. 12 Maryland last night before 737 at Ludwig Field. Nelson's goal broke an eight-year scoring drought against the Terrapins for Loyola (3-1-1), and the win was the program's first over its in-state rival since 1992. "It's one of our biggest goals of the year, and we accomplished it," Loyola goalkeeper Reb Beatty (Archbishop Spalding)

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - The No. 6 seeded Maryland men's soccer team lost to Duke, 2-1, in double overtime last night in the first round of the ACC tournament. Donald McIntosh scored in the 112th minute to end the Terps' hopes for a tournament run. Duke (14-4) opened the scoring in the second half on Demetrio Sanchez's goal in the 48th minute, as he beat keeper Christian Lewis (Ellicott City) into the far corner of the net from 7 yards out. The Terps (10-9) tied it up with less than 15 minutes remaining when Abe Thompson converted from point-blank range.

Maryland made the NCAA final four in men's soccer last fall for the first time since 1969, thanks partly to a defensive tip the U.S. under-18 women's national team coach gave coach Sasho Cirovski.Early this season, the two talked about midfield options for her new team -- Maryland's women. And nine days ago, Shannon Higgins-Cirovski returned from Tobacco Road with a 4-3, overtime win over then-No. 9-ranked Duke, her first win as coach in an Atlantic Coast Conference game.Unusual combination, Mr. and Mrs. Cirovski.

COLLEGE PARK -- Maryland freshman midfielder Scott Buete is a fast learner on the soccer field and he's quickly becoming one of the bigger surprises of the young season for the eighth-ranked Terrapins.Buete arrived on campus less than five weeks ago from nearby Bowie High and last night he followed coach Sasho Cirovski's instructions perfectly to give the Terps a 1-0 victory over 14th-ranked Virginia before an overflow crowd of 2,034 at Ludwig Field.Buete scored the only goal in the Atlantic Coast Conference season opener for both teams, when he tapped in a shot from seven yards off a cross from freshman teammate A.J. Herrera with 4 minutes, 38 seconds gone in the second half.

COLLEGE PARK -- Shannon Cirovski, coach of the U.S. under-18 women's soccer team and wife of Maryland men's coach Sasho Cirovski, was named coach of the Terrapins women's team yesterday.Cirovski, 30, replaces Alan Kirkup, who resigned last month to accept a similar position at the University of Arkansas.A two-time first-team All-American, the former Shannon Higgins played collegiately at North Carolina, helping the Tar Heels to four NCAA titles and a four-year record of 89-0-6.The consensus national Player of the Year in 1989, she scored the game-winning goals in the 1987, 1988 and 1989 NCAA championship games.

COLLEGE PARK -- Maryland men's soccer coach Sasho Cirovski was a spectator at the Final Four the previous four years, watching his colleagues grab the national spotlight while contemplating the fate of the Terrapins' numerous NCAATickets: $35 for semifinals and final; $20 for semis only.Road to final fourA look at how Maryland and Stanford advanced to the national semifinals (Maryland has yet to face a seeded team):MarylandRd. .. .. ... Opponent .. .. .. Result1st .. .. ... Richmond .. .. .. W, 2-12nd .. .. ... Jacksonville .. . W, 3-0Qtr.

COLLEGE PARK -- Be prepared when Maryland men's soccer coach Sasho Cirovski comes knocking on your door.He won't exaggerate about having the top facility in the nation. And he doesn't have a national championship trophy to showcase.But if you're the premier high school star with footwork second to none, expect to see Cirovski and hear about his unrelenting dreams and desire. And you'll believe, too."He really asks you what you want out of your college soccer experience," said goalkeeper Christian Lewis, from Centennial High.

Maryland received its fifth straight NCAA tournament bid yesterday and will play host to Richmond in the first round of the 32-team NCAA men's soccer tournament at Ludwig Field on Sunday at 2 p.m.The Terrapins (13-7), who have made the second round of the NCAA tournament the past three years, rolled to a 3-1 victory over Richmond (14-6-2) on Oct. 14, with Taylor Twellman scoring two goals. The winner will meet Duke or Jacksonville in the second round.Maryland is the fourth Atlantic Coast Conference entry in the tournament.