Mike Peters, The Examiner
2007-08-01 07:00:00.0
Current rank: Not ranked

Annapolis -

Brian Rowland’s season never ends.

Like many other players around the United Soccer League Second Division, when Rowland’s season ends with Crystal Palace USA next month, the goalie will begin preparing for another — the Major Indoor Soccer League.

“Opportunities come up after every year,” said Rowland, who has started each of Crystal Palace’s 18 games during its inaugural season. “To keep playing is what you want to do.”

As University of Maryland, Baltimore County’s starting keeper since his freshman season in 1999, Rowland found immediate success, as he was named an honorable mention All-American after leading the Retrievers to a 19-1-2 record and a berth in the NCAA Tournament.

Rowland’s legacy at UMBC remains in the school’s record books, including when he broke Steve Zerhusen’s 23-year-old record when he posted his 23rd career shutout as a senior.

Rowland, who recorded with 25 career shutouts, finished his career with 227 saves, sixth-most in school history.

“He’s very hard to score on,” Crystal Palace co-coach Jim Cherneski said.

Rowland, 26, spent two seasons in the Premier Developmental League — one step below the USL Second Division — playing for the Chesapeake Dragons and Toronto Lynx before moving his career indoors with the Baltimore Blast. Rowland went 3-3 with a 9.34 goals against average in six starts as he adjusted to the smaller nets and the faster pace of indoor soccer before joining Crystal Palace in for its inaugural season.

“It’s a completely different game,” said Rowland, referring to indoor soccer. “It requires different attributes as a keeper, so it’s a complete change.”

Rowland was selected in last month’s Major Indoor Soccer League Expansion Draft by the Orlando Sharks, where he’s expected to enter training camp this fall atop the depth chart.

Right now, however, Rowland is focused on helping Crystal Palace finish its season on a strong note after it was eliminated from playoff contention earlier this week.

With Rowland in goal, Crystal Palace is 7-6-5 this season. He’s recorded six shutouts-including three in four game stretch during a July road trip — and has only allowed 10 goals in his last 16 games.

“We know if we’re a little more aggressive and something happens, he can stop a shot for us,” Crystal Palace co-coach Pete Medd said. “That’s big.”

However, Rowland views his shutouts as a team accomplishment, not his.

“Shutouts are so indicative of the team, and the goalkeeper’s the one who gets the credit for them,” Rowland said. “It’s been great to do well because if I do well, the team does well.”

Palace to host clinic

Crystal Palace USA players and coaches will run a soccer clinic for underprivileged children today from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at The Crossroads School at 802 South Caroline Street in Baltimore. Children from all ages are welcome to participate.