The Terrapin men’s soccer team knows exactly what it’s like to play in the ACC tournament title game – especially the seniors.

For the past three years, the Terps faced Virginia in the championship contest, winning in 2002 but losing twice since.

And if the seeds hold true this time, two of collegiate soccer’s powerhouses will renew their rivalry on the same stage.

The ACC regular season champions and No. 1-seeded Terps begin their quest to reclaim the title from the Cavaliers today as they meet No. 8 Wake Forest in the conference tournament quarterfinals in Cary, N.C.

“I know that the team has a chip on its shoulder from losing twice in the past three years,” coach Sasho Cirovski said. “Our seniors know how good it feels to win one, and I know that they’d like to get that feeling back. I’d like to get that feeling back.”

No. 2 Virginia, which lost to the Terps 3-0 Oct. 19, is on the opposite side of the bracket and faces No. 7 Clemson today.

The Terps (14-3-1, 7-1-0 ACC) enter the tournament as arguably the conference’s – and the nation’s – hottest team, riding a 10-game unbeaten streak in which their only tie came against No. 5-ranked Indiana. The Terps’ last defeat was on Sept 25 against N.C. State, which is the third seed.

“We’re trying to peak at the right moment and hopefully we’re still getting better everyday,” sophomore midfielder Stephen King said.

Even as the eighth seed, the Demon Deacons are no pushover. Yesterday, they easily disposed of No. 9 Boston College, 4-0, for the right to the play the Terps.

Wake Forest (1-6-2 ACC) was ranked in the top-25 until the season’s final two weeks and is still in the NCAA tournament picture regardless of today’s outcome – mostly became its losses have been to top teams.

“There’s a very good chance eight teams in the ACC will go to the NCAA tournament, which is worthy – and somewhat ridiculous,” Cirovski said. “Every game is going to be a highly competitive battle.”

In their previous meeting, the Terps took advantage of the fast-paced tempo and hung three first-half goals on the Demon Deacons in their 3-1 win Sept. 30.

If the Terps are victorious today, they will play the winner of No. 4 Virginia Tech and No. 5 Duke Friday night. The Hokies gave the Terps all they could handle Friday in Blacksburg, Va., before allowing a golden goal to senior forward Marc Burch in the second overtime.

But the players know better than to look ahead to Friday – or Sunday, when Virginia could await.

“I mean potentially, if we play poorly, two more games and our season’s over,” senior forward Jason Garey said.

Contact reporter Daniel Chiat at chiatdbk@gmail.com.