Terrapin men’s soccer coach Sasho Cirovski and his assistants took in a less familiar vantage point of college soccer Saturday.

The Terp coaches watched Loyola (Md.) and Liberty fight out a 2-0 Loyola win in the first round of the NCAA tournament for the right to continue on and face the Terps (10-5-4) this Wednesday in the second round. Loyola (19-3-0) controlled the first half of the game, took a two-goal lead, and settled back for the win.

Cirovski was impressed with what he saw from his next opponents, a young group that won the MAAC championship and has only allowed 11 goals in 22 games.

“They’re a very good team; they definitely deserved to win that game,” Cirovski said.

Cirovski and his assistants could afford to watch because the Terps have not played a game in nearly two weeks, their last being a 3-0 loss to Virginia Tech on Nov. 14 in the first round of the ACC tournament. Cirovski gave his players a day off on Saturday.

Over the extended break from games, Cirovski has focused on getting his players “a very good balance between working hard and giving the players rest.” And that rest could prove essential, as the Terps appeared fatigued and off their game against Virginia Tech and this long break should help to provide new energy.

It also helps that the Terps can get a few of their players back to full health. Sophomore midfielder Jeremy Hall has seen limited action since suffering an ankle sprain against Cal State Northridge on Oct. 21, and freshman defender Sean Flatley was helped off the field against Virginia Tech.

Cirovski noted that both players’ conditions have improved, but refused to comment further on the injuries. He also refused comment on the goalkeeping decision between freshmen Will Swaim and Thorne Holder.

Swaim had started every game since entering in the second half against Cal State Northridge. But he was removed after allowing a pair of goals against Virginia Tech, with Cirovski citing Holder’s ability to set up the offense as his rationale for the change.

Loyola has a tendency to settle back after taking early leads, so the goalkeeping issue could prove to be essential. Despite their outstanding record, the Greyhounds have been outshot on the season 216-208.

The Greyhounds and the Terps are familiar foes, with the Terps owning a 25-8-6 record against Loyola all-time. What was not-long-ago a near-annual rivalry will now take a bigger stage, in the second round of the NCAA tournament.

TERP NOTE: The game is scheduled for 5 p.m. Wednesday, a decision made to avoid a scheduling conflict with the men’s basketball game at 7:30 p.m. Cirovski said he made the decision to garner more student support, even if it means local community fans miss the game.

ajosephdbk@gmail.com