Terps back on field after six-day break

It's been nine days since the Terrapin men's soccer team won the ACC tournament title in Cary, N.C., the longest the team has gone without playing a game since its first exhibition match back in mid-August.

But coach Sasho Cirovski said he isn't concerned that the long break will slow the No. 2-seed Terps' momentum when they host George Mason in the second round of the NCAA tournament tonight.

"When you're playing well, you don't want to take too much time off, but I think we needed a little bit of a break from the three tough games at the ACC tournament," Cirovski said. "But we've had some good practices, and we'll be ready to go. I feel good."

The Terps (18-3-0) have won 11 matches in a row and have allowed only five goals in that span. They played some of their best soccer of the season during the ACC tournament, in which they won three 1-0 games in five days.

The last time the Terps went nearly this long without playing a game - a six-day break leading up to their Nov. 7 game against North Carolina - they struggled for the first 20 minutes of the game.

The Tar Heels scored the game's first goal before midfielders Drew Yates and Graham Zusi countered to give the Terps a 2-1 win. It was only the fifth time this year the Terps have allowed an opponent to score first.

But like his coach, forward Jason Herrick isn't fretting about the long layoff. Herrick said after the Terps' last seven games, six of which were away from Ludwig Field, the week off in College Park was a positive.

"It feels good to get this week at home, recover, catch up on schoolwork and stuff," Herrick said. "Our bodies are feeling a little bit better."

Midfielder Matt Kassel, who suffered a right foot contusion in the team's ACC quarterfinal win against North Carolina on Nov. 12, was one player who especially needed the recovery time.

Cirovski said his starting defensive midfielder and set piece specialist, who missed the Terps' semifinal and championship wins in the ACC tournament because of the injury, will be available to play if the Terps need him, but indicated that Michael Marchiano will get his third straight start in place of Kassel.

George Mason hasn't had the luxury, or burden, of much time off. The Patriots beat Pennsylvania 1-0 at home Friday night to advance past the first round of the NCAA tournament for the first time since 1996.

George Mason (14-6-2) has won eight straight games, a run that included the Colonial Athletic Association tournament championship. After starting the season 1-3-1 with losses to Virginia Tech, Georgetown and Virginia, the Patriots have allowed just four goals in their last eight games, replicating the strong defensive style the Terps have used to fuel their late-season run.

"[George Mason has] scored a lot of goals, and they have a lot of very good individual attacking players," Cirovski said. "They have an experienced backline and a good goalkeeper, so they are a very good team."

The Patriots are led in scoring by Bowie native Kwame Adjeman-Pamboe, who has nine goals and seven assists. Goalkeeper Sean Kelley has allowed 18 goals in 20 starts.

"'They seem to have found their rhythm' is the best way to say it," Cirovski said.

Now it's up to the Terps to regain theirs after the long layoff.

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