Midfielder Dan Metzger moves to body a Virginia defender during the Terps’ 2-1 win over the Cavaliers in the NCAA tournament semifinals on Dec. 13, 2013 at PPL Park.

CHESTER, Pa. — The Terrapins men’s soccer team and Notre Dame played a 1-1 draw in South Bend, Ind., on Oct. 8 in the two teams’ only meeting this season. Forward Patrick Mullins scored the equalizer on left-footed strike in 72nd minute, and goalkeeper Zack Steffen made five saves on 23 total shots from the Irish.

“[They are a] very good team,” Mullins said. “They move the ball well. They’re very good in transition. They defend well.”

Cirovski made a key second-half change in that match against the Irish, which allowed the Terps to make a come back. He added an extra midfielder, moving Mullins from up top to the left side, and the Terps to attacked from the wing and exposed a flaw in the Irish defense.

“They took an early lead and we, I thought, grew up a lot in that game,” Cirovski said. “We really had to change a few things that we normally don’t do and found a way to claw our way back into the game. I think it made us better.”

Cirovski will be faced with trying to stop forward Harrison Shipp—a MAC Hermann Trophy finalist along with Mullins—and midfielder Patrick Hodan, who scored twice in the Irish’s win over No. 7-seed New Mexico Friday night.

A member of the ACC — either the Terps or Irish — will be crowned national champion on Sunday. The conference has dominated the 2013 NCAA tournament, compiling an 11-1-1 total record against nonconference opponents. The ACC has gone 13 consecutive years with a member in the College Cup and has had 49 total College Cup appearances.

The Terps, though, will be leaving the prolific conference after this season for the Big Ten.

“We love the ACC,” Cirovski said. “We feel that we’ve contributed to the growth of men’s soccer in the ACC and done our part. But I’m the coach of the University of Maryland. And I love Maryland more.”

So Sunday’s game pits an outgoing ACC team against a conference newcomer — Notre Dame joined the league in all sports but football in July — and no matter, Cirovski expects a classic a PPL Park on Sunday.

“I think it’s going to be a great game,” Cirovski said. “I think it’s the two best teams in the country. I really believe that, sincerely. We’ve played a lot of great teams, and I think the two best teams are playing on Sunday.”