Maryland will host both UVA and NC St at Ludwig Field this Saturday at noon and 2:30pm respectively. The first game will be a rematch of the ACC Tourny Final and a continuation of a bitter rivalry (they just don't like each other even in a scrimage). UMD beat NC St twice last year by 3-0 margins on each occasion but we will see if the new and improved Wolfpack people on these boards keep talking about can show something. UMd will likely used split squads for the these matches either using the starters for half of each game of simply having them play UVA for the full 90 and sit out the second match.
This is not official - but I don't think NC State is still going to Maryland this weekend. (Probably too far to travel to play against Maryland's second team). I believe they are going to play at Wake Forest instead.
Update PB04 you correct, NC St is not coming. The official reason is that they already spent their Spring soccer budget and can't afford to come all the way to College Park. That's pretty weak, they continue to be an embassment to the league in a variety of new ways. If they really thought they might only play the second unit all they had to do was play well and Sasho would have played everyone to avoid the humiliation of losing to them. I think UMD will try to find a late stand-in but that will be difficult. They may work out some additional play periods with UVA so we will see. Go Wolfpack...out of the ACC hopefully.
I was being sarcastic about the second team remark ... it was inspired by your quote - sorry about that. You can call them a 'disgrace' for their record (no argument) or coach, but it is an awful long bus ride for a practice game on Easter weekend. I understand NC State's logic. The budget thing is kind of interesting (I didn't think they had a budget). BTW it's not like the Terps have had many road adventures this spring (one road game) - all the way to Richmond! I guess they are true road warriors! Now Maryland can play their big guns and All Americans the whole game against Virginia and lowly NC State can play Wake Forest.
Re: Re: UMD to host UVA & NC St on Saturday State spent their entire spring budget driving up to Duke and back? At current Federal reimbursement rates that would come to $18. Did they stop at McDonald's on the way back and blow the rest? Sounds like another George story.
Frustration Sorry about venting like that, I'm just annoyed that NC St didn't turn down the scrimage awhile back when another opponent could have been located. I don't think Sasho will ever make the mistake of inviting the Pack back because this type of short notice is unprofessional. UMd is in a special situation with 24 players and a limited number of allowable scrimage dates so they purposely planned double scrimages. Now some guys trying to improve their position on the depth chart will get less of a chance to do so.
Re: Re: Re: UMD to host UVA & NC St on Saturday Not sure about McDonalds. Possibly George heard that Iraq is looking for another Information Minister so he thought he'd try a story on Sasho. I heard that the long trip at Easter was the real problem for cancelling. If they waited until the last minute - it was inconsiderate of NC State, but I don't know when Maryland was notified. Official notices to the public of cancellations are not exactly mandatory for scrimmages. I heard originally NC St would play Wake Forest on Thursday and then go to Maryland on Saturday. Of course another possibility is they scheduled two scrimmages on the same day in different states and GT just realized it. Playing a Spring schedule is something new for GT.
It seems to me that the problem with spring games, is that different programs view them with a varied degree of importance. I know that UNC actually had to cancel a spring game, because they only had 10 guys available. Roster size, injuries, the coach's view on spring games...all deciding factors. It's really too bad that college soccer doesn't have the same kind of schedule that say, golf has. For example, college teams like UNC play a lighter schedule in the fall, but they play in a number of tournaments, etc. Then in the spring, they play their conference schedule, as well as top tournaments, gearing up for the NCAA's. The fall season is secondary, but it's still considered very important. To me, it seems that spring soccer is considered unimportant by most programs. I'm a proponent of moving college soccer's main season to the spring anyway...so it doesn't have to compete against football. Plus, the NCAA's would be played in April or May, when the weather is usually much better than it is in mid-December (at most locales).
roster update Well after all my complaints regarding NC St pulling out of this weekends scrimage it appears it will work out for the best after all. UMD is down in players from 24 to 15 for Saturday. Here's the update: Craig Salvati attending a function in Ohio. Kenny Bertz " " " " Scotty Buete twisted ankle. AJ Herrera toe injury but may play. (?) Chris Gormley not returning for 2003 season. AJ Godbolt recovering from ACL. Nino Marcantonio recovering from broken foot. Dom Mediate strained calf. Erwin Diaz personal reasons. Thank goodness for a large roster.
Hey terp fan...just curious...how many Maryland players are on full rides? Also, is Ghormley the long haired kid that played in the back? I actually beg to differ on your statement about being the best team in the country. I think Wake is going to give them problems this season.
Wake and NC State played last night to a 2-2 tie. I was told Wake was missing a couple players (Justin Moose being one) and both benches were pretty thin. NC State led 1-0 at halftime. Bryan Salter scored on a breakaway. He had 3 or 4 other breakaways in the first half that they didn't finish. Wake was all over State the beginning of second half. They scored on a nice volley over the goalies head (he came out on a ball and didn't get back quick enough). Wake went ahead 2-1 on a poorly trapped ball by a State player right in front of their goal. State tied the game 2-2 with about 3 minutes left on a healer off a direct kick. Game was rather rough for a practice game. There were several yellows given out and the Wake goalie received a straight red with about 1:30 left in the game. He pushed down Salter in front of the ref.
well.... UMD is a fully funded program meaning 9.9 scholarships are available. Sasho trys to spread it around but top national recruits like AJ Herrera, Abe Thompson & Sumed Ibrahim are almost certainly on full rides. Many of UMD's best players come in under the radar and Sash has a chance to get them for much less. Dom Mediate, Seth Stammler, Clarence Goodson & Scotty Buete all turned out to be outstanding players but came in as recruited walk-on's or minor scholarship players with the promise to have an opportunity to earn more. This is probably not too different from other programs. Gormley started as freshmen in 2001, wore goggles and had long brown hair. He is a very smart and skilled player but lacks the pace to play in the back against the top teams. UMD only uses three midfielders and with Buete, Rodway and Sumed it was hard for him to find playing time. UMD might not be the best team in the country but to be the best they must first believe it..... believe in themselves. That was the point of my statement. I agree Wake is a fine team but they come to College Park this season and the Terps will be difficult to beat at home as 13 opponents found out last season.
Gormley terpfan, Do you know why Gormley never got to play his sophmore year? He was an All-Met player in high school and started his freshman year. Doesnt seem that any new players came to take his spot.
Re: Gormley UMD is loaded with national team players, youth national champion players, high school all-americans, all-state, all-met, etc, so Chris is in great company. His first year there were a few redshirt players and the team was very thin on the backline. A good defensive recruiting class came in to challenge for playing time in 2002 and Chris was the odd man out. Freshmen Chris Lancos (U-17 national team) and Kenny Bertz who throws the ball 40 yards ended up as starters on the outside. Seth Stammler was made team captain and obviously maintained his starting spot. The guy who dispalced Gormley at centerback was Clarence Goodson the converted forward who was second on the team in scoring his fresman year(2000). Goodson had academic problems and didn't play in 2001, Gormley's freshman season. Sasho had so many attacking players that Goodson became a luxury that could be used elsewhere. He is taller, quicker, faster, better in the air and better with the ball than Chris. As you may know defenders rarely get subbed so Chris has had to find time in the midfield. There he was competing the Sumed Ibrahim (1st Team All-American), Scotty Buete (Third Team All-American) and Ian Rodway another super 90 minute palyer in the 4-3-3 alignment. On another note, UMD beat UVA 3-0 today. UVA was missing Matt Oliver (serious back problem) and most of the team was playing out of position. UMD was missing 10 players as well but still had all the play after the first 30 minutes. The goals were provided but Jason Garey, Sumed Ibrahim and AJ Herrera. I was very surprised how poorly Hunter Freeman, John Hartman and Joe Vide played. I assumed they would be the nucleus going into next season, if so the Cav's are looking at a very long 2003 season. Jason Garey is going to send somebody up top to the bench next season for UMD and Ian Rodway was a destroyer in the middle of the park taking up the slack for a sidelined Scotty Buete. UMD's last scrimage is Wednesday night at home against Towson at 7pm following the women's game.
Re: Re: Gormley I tell you, the Wolfpack is looking no worse than 5th in the ACC next season. Basically, you have Maryland and Wake (and maybe Clemson), and the rest of the field.