No. 8 Maryland men’s soccer (4-1-1) returns to Ludwig Field to take on Penn State (3-2-1) in its Big Ten home opener Tuesday.
Following a three match stretch away from College Park in which the Terps went undefeated, they are looking to continue their winning ways and make a statement against a conference rival.
The Nittany Lions, who were ranked first in the Big Ten preseason poll, offer another tough challenge for the Terps as they continue their push through Big Ten competition.
In its last match against Michigan, Maryland narrowly defeated the Wolverines, 2-1. In what felt like a pivotal game for the Terps in their Big Ten season opener, standout performances from goalkeeper Jamie Lowell, defender Chris Rindov and forward Stefan Copetti lifted the Terps past the Wolverines.
Lowell, a junior, stepped up in the absence of usual starter Niklas Neumann, who head coach Sasho Cirovski said was “a little bit dinged up” from the Georgetown game. Lowell made six saves, including two huge ones in the second half, while only allowing one score to a feisty Michigan offense.
Cirovsky said following the game that he’s confident in both goalkeepers and is comfortable starting Lowell whenever Neumann cannot take the field.
Rindov got the Terps on the board in the 30th minute off a Hunter George set piece. George’s free kick perfectly set up Rindov to be in position for the header, which he tapped right into the net for his second goal of the season.
Rindov is off to a strong start in his fourth year in College Park as he has already tied his career high in goals (two). His impact is also felt far beyond the stat sheet, playing a critical role defensively as a center back.
The go-ahead goal was scored by Copetti, as in the 67th minute he took advantage of Michigan’s goalkeeper bobbling a previous shot. The junior ran into the box and quickly scored, putting the Terps in the driver’s seat for the remainder of the match.
After being outshot 10:4 by Michigan in the first half, Maryland reversed the script in the second half. The Terps outshot the Wolverines by six attempts, evening up the match total, 15 each.
“We have set some goals for the conference this year, and [beating Michigan is] a good start,” Cirovski said.
For the Terps to defeat the defending Big Ten champions, they will have to come out with high energy and fight in both halves.
“We have to make sure that we come out on the front foot and really put together a full 90 [minutes],” Cirovski said.
Penn State enters as winners of three of its last four matches, most recently a victory over Wisconsin. The match against Wisconsin was a defensive battle, as the two teams put up a combined 12 shots.
A goal by midfielder Van Danielson in the 85th minute was the only score, as Penn State squeaked out a 1-0 victory.
Maryland and Penn State both enter ranked in the top three in goals allowed among Big Ten schools. Tuesday’s game should be a defensive showcase, and the team who makes the least mistakes should come out on top.
The Nittany Lions have two players with multiple goals on the season in Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year Peter Mangione (three) and forward Liam Butts (two). Danielson, midfielder Sean Bettenhausen and midfielder Andrew Privett have also registered a goal.
Mangione, currently fourth in the Big Ten in points, will be a difficult player for the Terps to contain.
A win against Penn State would be the fourth straight for Maryland.
“We want to succeed this year and win a couple of rings hopefully,” Maryland midfielder Malcolm Johnston said.
The last time Maryland defeated Penn State was in 2018,
The match is set to kickoff at 7:00 PM and will take place at Ludwig Field in College Park.
