There's never been a season quite like this one in the storied history of Maryland soccer.
The Terps are an undefeated 18-0-2, fresh off their fifth consecutive conference championship, earning them the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA tournament.
“We’re happy with the regular season and Big Ten titles, but really, this is what we’re playing for, the national championship,” said Sasho Cirovski, Terps head coach.
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After falling in the tournament’s quarterfinals last year and the second round in 2014, this year’s Terrapins aren’t up for any more disappointment.
“The undefeated stuff was never our goal. All we remember is the way it ended last year,” Cirvoski said.
And there are plenty of Baltimore area connections to this Terps team as well. They start in goal with former Broadneck star, keeper Cody Niedermeier.
“It was always a dream to come play here. Represent Maryland and everything it stands for. Being from Maryland, it’s awesome,” Niedermeier said.
Another local piece to the puzzle is midfielder George Campbell.
“I went to McDonogh, I live in Baltimore. I think that a big reason I came to Maryland is that I do have a ton of pride to be from this state. To play at the University of Maryland,” Campbell said.
And on the bench there’s Maryland native, former Terps captain and Baltimore Blast star Scott Buete, now in his third year as assistant coach.
“Baltimore is a blue collar city. I think it translates into Maryland Soccer. Those guys make our team go. That’s what you need to make big runs and be a successful team. We’ve got a couple of those guys,” Buete said.
The Terps host Providence at 5 p.m. Sunday, in the second-round of the NCAA tournament.
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