Sept. 25, 2000

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Maryland's women's soccer team returns to the friendly confines of Ludwig Field as the Terps begin a four-game homestand this Wednesday night, hosting George Mason at 7:30 p.m. The Terps look to extend their home non-conference win streak to six with a victory against the Patriots. The women's game will be the second half of a doubleheader following a men's game against American, which begins at 5 p.m.

The Terps have not played a home game in two weeks, travelling to the Stanford Nike Invitational two weekends ago and Wake Forest this past weekend.

Following the George Mason contest, the Terps will host back-to-back ACC matches against NC State (Oct. 1 at 1 p.m.) and Virginia (Oct. 6 at 7 p.m.). The homestand concludes with an Oct. 11 game against Howard at 5 p.m.

Game Facts and Coverage

Game 10: George Mason at Maryland
Date: Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2000
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Site: Ludwig Field (4,000), College Park, Md.

2000 Records: Maryland: 4-5-0 (0-2-0 ACC), George Mason: 5-5-0 (1-0-0 CAA)

Series History: Maryland leads 6-5-0. Last meeting: Oct. 6, 1999- Maryland 1, George Mason 0

The Coaches: Maryland: Shannon Higgins-Cirovski (84-74-12/.529 overall/9th yr., 15-15-1/.500 at Maryland/2nd yr.)
George Mason: Jac Cicala (104-61-15/.619 overall/9th yr., all at George Mason)

Radio Coverage: Maryland: WMUC (88.1 FM) or on the Internet at www.wmuc.umd.edu. (talent: Jonathan Miller and Rishi Barran)

Game 11: NC State at Maryland
Date: Sunday, Oct 1, 2000
Time: 1:00 p.m.
Site: Ludwig Field (4,000), College Park, Md.

2000 Records: Maryland: 4-5-0 (0-5-0 ACC), NC State: 5-4-1 (0-1-0 ACC)

Series History: NC State leads 3-7-4. Last meeting: Sept. 18, 1999- Maryland 0, NC State 0 (OT)

The Coaches: Maryland: Shannon Higgins-Cirovski (84-74-12/.529 overall/9th yr., 15-15-1/.500 at Maryland/2nd yr.)
NC State: Laura Kerrigan (19-26-4/.429 overall/3rd yr., all at NC State)

Radio Coverage: Maryland: WMUC (88.1 FM) or on the Internet at www.wmuc.umd.edu. (talent: Jonathan Miller and Rishi Barran)

Records & Rankings

Maryland enters the George Mason game with a 4-5-0 overall record (0-2-0 in the ACC) after winning at Rutgers (1-0), upsetting No. 4 Penn State (3-1), defeating Towson (1-0) and blanking George Washington (3-0). The Terps' losses have come against No. 22 Duke (2-1), Richmond (1-0), No. 19 Santa Clara (4-2), No. 6 Stanford (3-0) and No. 20 Wake Forest (1-0). Last season, Maryland was 11-10-1 and 4-2-1 in the ACC as it finished the season ranked No. 23 in the final NSCAA poll. The Terps advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the fifth straight year before losing to semifinalists Penn State, 3-2 in the second round.

The Terps were ranked as high as No. 9 on Sept. 4 in the NSCAA poll but are not ranked this week for the first time this season. They are in others receiving votes in the American Soccer Writers poll.

George Mason is 5-5-0 this season and 1-0 in the CAA, winning all five games at home. They have defeated Navy (3-0), Virginia Commonwealth (4-1), UNC Greensboro (2-0), Tennessee (1-0) and Rutgers (3-0). The Patriots' losses have come at No. 4 Penn State (3-0), at Wisconsin (3-0), vs. Oakland (1-0 in Wisconsin) and at No. 13 Virginia (4-1) and against No. 9 Hartford (5-0 in Charlottesville) this past weekend. The Patriots are not ranked in any of the polls.

The Series With George Mason

Maryland holds a 6-5-0 series lead against George Mason, dating back to the first meeting in 1987. Maryland has won the last five regular season games, outscoring the Patriots 15-2 in those five games. George Mason's last win came in the 1997 NCAA Tournament, when the Patriots upset the Terps, 2-1 in College Park.

The Maryland-George Mason Series
10/6/99 Maryland 1, George Mason 0
9/23/98 Maryland 4, George Mason 2
11/16/97 George Mason 2, Maryland 1 (NCAA First Round)
9/10/97 Maryland 3, George Mason 0
9/24/96 Maryland 2, George Mason 0
9/6/95 Maryland 5, George Mason 0
10/5/94 George Mason 2, Maryland 1
10/20/93 George Mason 3, Maryland 0
10/3/92 Maryland 2, George Mason 1 (OT)
9/21/91 George Mason 5, Maryland 1
10/10/87 George Mason 4, Maryland 0 (WAGS Tournament)
Home team in bold

Home Sweet Home

Maryland has made a habit of winning at Ludwig Field. The Terps hold a 45-14-3 record all-time in games played at Ludwig, dating to its construction in 1995. They have won 75.0 percent of the games in College Park. Maryland has won five straight non-conference games at Ludwig and seven of the last nine, overall.

Playing The Best

Of the Terps' 18 regular-season opponents, 12 have been ranked in the NSCAA Top 25 at one point this season. For the week of Sept. 25, 10 of the Terps' opponents are ranked including three in the top 10: No. 2 Clemson, No. 4 North Carolina and No. 6 Penn State. Also ranked in the top 25 are No. 11 Duke, No. 13 Stanford, No. 14 Virginia, No. 15 Santa Clara, No. 17 Wake Forest No. 20 William & Mary and No. 21 Florida State.

Ludwig, Poulin Honored

Freshmen Katie Ludwig (Mt. Laurel, N.J.) and Audra Poulin (Silver Spring, Md.) were named to the Stanford Nike Invitational All-Tournament team for their outstanding play. In her second college start, Ludwig scored two goals as the Terps dropped a 4-2 decision to No. 19 Santa Clara on Sept. 15. Both of Ludwig's goals evened the game, first at 1-1 and then again at 2-2. The goals were the first two of Ludwig's collegiate career.

Poulin started both games over the weekend and play solid on both ends of the field.

Nelson Featured On ACC Live

Senior forward Julie Nelson (McLean, Va.) was featured on ACC Live, on Monday, Sept. 18. In the show's soccer spotlight, the ACC focused upon Nelson and her courageous battle with cancer. Nelson has also overcome other hardships, such as a broken back, kidney problems, and most recently she spent the summer rehabilitating from offseason reconstructive ankle surgery.

Serving as team captain for the Terrapins this season leads the team in scoring with seven points and three goals. On Sept. 12, Nelson notched her first career hat trick, in a 3-0 win over visiting George Washington.

Biscoe Lost For Year

Maryland freshman midfielder Jen Biscoe (Baltimore, Md.) will be lost for the remainder of the 2000 season with an torn ACL in her right knee. She underwent successful surgery for an isolated ACL tear on Friday, Sept. 22.

Only three days after she scored her first college goal to lift the Terps to a 1-0 win over local rival Towson on Sept. 6, Biscoe went down against Richmond on Sept. 9. She suffered the injury while playing defense in the 25th minute of the game and didn't return.

Poulin Steps In For Roommate

With her fellow freshman teammate and dorm roommate Jen Biscoe sidelined for the remainder of the 2000 season, Audra Poulin has replaced her in the starting lineup. In her first start, Poulin had a sensational game setting up Julie Nelson's first two goals to record her first two college assists.

"I definitely felt a lot of pressure replacing Jen, who is incredible," Poulin said. "I felt bad replacing Jen as if she should have been out there instead. Usually when I'm put in a position like that I choke but this gave me a lot of added confidence."

Both Poulin and Biscoe highlight a freshman class that was touted by many publications as one of the nation's best entering the season. Biscoe earned Baltimore Sun Player of the Year honors in 1999 as a senior at John Carroll High in Bel Air, Md., while Poulin, a NSCAA All-American, was voted Washington Post All-Met Player of the Year as a senior at Rockville High School.

Ludwig Assists At Ludwig

Another member of the decorated freshman class, Katie Ludwig posted her first college point against George Washington. Ludwig found Audra Poulin, who crossed the ball to Julie Nelson for the Terps' second goal in the 3-0 win over Colonials. Ludwig is the first player named Ludwig to play and now score a point at Ludwig Field, which was constructed in 1995.

Serrins Nearing Shutout Mark

Senior keeper Riki-Ann Serrins (Mission Viejo, Calif.) continues to move up the Maryland career goalkeeper charts. With her whitewash against George Washington, Serrins moved up the career shutouts list with her 11th. She is currently one short of tying Heather Rowe (1988-91) and Missy Price (1993-96) for the all-time career shutout record with 12.

Serrins has also lowered her career goals against average to 1.35, allowing 52 goals in 3,463 minutes over 48 games in goal. Her career GAA is third all-time at Maryland. She also ranks on the all-time saves list with 170.

Teammate Ali Wolff (Richmond, Va.), who is redshirting the 2000 season also ranks in the top five on all three lists.

Career Shutout Leaders

Career Goals Against Average

Career Saves Leaders

"What's Up With Women's Soccer"

Maryland junior Debbie Lieberman (Commack, N.Y.) has been keeping a weekly journal about the women's soccer team called "What's Up With Women's Soccer." It is posted on Maryland's website www.umterps.com under the features section on the home page and on the women's soccer page.

In her most recent entry, Lieberman wrote about the Terps trip to Stanford.

WMUC Broadcast Information

Maryland's student radio station WMUC (88.1 FM) will broadcast eight Maryland women's soccer games in 2000. A pregame show will air approximately 30 minutes prior to kickoff. WMUC's broadcasts can be heard live on the Internet at wmuc.umd.edu.

Remaining 2000 WMUC Broadcast Schedule

Terrapin Fan Phone

For up-to-date reports, comments from coaches, and other Maryland athletic department information, phone the Terrapin Fan Phone at (301) 314-TERP.

Terps on the Web

For the latest game stories, statistics, schedules and results, and other Maryland athletic department information, please locate www. umterps.com on the Internet.

Email Straight To You

If you would like the latest Maryland women's soccer news emailed directly to you as soon as it breaks, email women's soccer contact Jason Yellin at jyellin@wam.umd.edu with the message "Women's Soccer Email" as the subject and you will receive every update distributed about the team.

2000 ACC STANDINGS

Last Week's Action

This Week's Action

TERPS IN THE POLLS

2000 NSCAA Poll (Sept. 25)

Others rec. votes: Arizona State, Wisconsin,
Connecticut, Furman, Texas

2000 Am. Soccer Writers Poll (Sept. 25)

Others rec. votes: Brigham Young, Southern Methodist,
Purdue, West Virginia, Princeton, Dayton,
Harvard, Michigan State, Pennsylvania, Auburn,
Florida, Iowa, Maryland, Wofford.

2000 Soccer America Poll (Sept. 18)

2000 Soccer Buzz Poll (Sept. 25)

Others rec. votes: Brown, BYU,
Florida State, Iowa, Purdue,
Saint Louis, West Virginia.

2000 SoccerTimes.Com (Sept. 18)

Others rec. votes: Richmond, Florida, Michigan ,
William & Mary, Boston College,
Dartmouth, San Diego, West Virginia

Week-By-Week In The Polls

Opponents In The Most Recent Polls

Season Honors

Sara Gustafson (Reisterstown, Md.) Soccer America Team of the Week (Sept. 4) Maryland Student-Athlete of the Week (Sept. 4)

Katie Ludwig (Mt. Laurel, N.J.) Stanford Nike Invitational All-Tournament Team

Julie Nelson (McLean, Va.) ACC Live Soccer Spotlight (Sept. 18)

Audra Poulin (Silver Spring, Md.) Stanford Nike Invitational All-Tournament Team