No. 20 Maryland men’s soccer vs. Liberty preview

No. 20 Maryland males’s soccer went into its season opener in opposition to No. 9 New Hampshire on Aug. 25 as underdogs, however walked away victorious. The Terps scored their second aim of the sport within the seventy fifth minute and had been capable of fend off a late-game surge, defeating the Wildcats, 2-1.

Senior ahead Hunter George gave Maryland an early lead, scoring the primary aim of the season within the 14th minute. It was freshman ahead Colin Griffith who secured the win, nonetheless, tapping in an exquisite move from redshirt sophomore midfielder Joshua Bolma as Maryland took a commanding 2-0 lead within the seventy fifth minute.

The Terps’ stifling protection had New Hampshire in a straitjacket for a lot of the sport, because the Wildcats tried only one shot on aim which snuck previous senior goalkeeper Niklas Neumann within the 83rd minute.

Maryland now shifts its focus and can attempt to enhance to 2-0 for the second consecutive yr. The Terps will host Liberty at 7:00 p.m. on Sunday night time in what ought to be one other thrilling sport at Ludwig Subject.

Liberty Flames (1-0)

2021 document: 7-9 (3-4 ASUN)

Head coach Kelly Findley is coming into his fourth season on the helm of Liberty’s males’s soccer program. With 20 years of teaching expertise beneath his belt, Findley was capable of take the Flames to new heights in 2020-21. For the primary time in program historical past, Liberty acquired a nationwide rating through the yr, rising as excessive as No. 15. Findley has posted a 19-25 document whereas at Liberty, however the Flames are off to a stable begin this season after defeating Radford, 3-0.

Gamers to know

Marko Mitrevski, senior midfielder, No. 6 — Mitrevski has been the Flames’ finest participant since becoming a member of the group two years in the past. He has already racked up two ASUN All-Convention first group honors and a VaSID All-State first group choice. After scoring three objectives final season, Mitrevski recorded one in Liberty’s season opener, maybe foreshadowing a newfound scoring potential.

Seth Clark, junior midfielder, No. 11 — Clark is an elite playmaker alongside Mitrevski. He led the group in assists final season (6) whereas contributing one aim as properly. This play earned him a spot on the ASUN All-Convention second group for the second consecutive yr. Clark didn’t do a lot within the season opener, however anticipate that to alter come Sunday.

Michael Huss, sophomore ahead, No. 23 — Huss was a stud throughout his freshman season, scoring the second most objectives on the group (4). With goal-leader Noah Holmes transferring to Excessive Level, Huss ought to be the go-to man for the Flames. He solely performed 21 minutes within the season opener, however made probably the most of it, trying two pictures and dispensing one help.

Power

Scoring. Regardless of a dropping document, Liberty was proficient at scoring the ball final season. The Flames ranked third of their convention in objectives scored (28), doing so in simply 16 video games. Whereas there have been questions on whether or not Liberty can replicate this with out Holmes, three objectives in its first sport appears to have answered that query.

Weak point

Competitors. Enjoying within the ASUN convention has its downsides. Whereas Liberty could possibly enhance its document by competing in opposition to inferior opponents, they don’t have enough expertise in opposition to nationally-ranked opponents. Maryland is the highest-ranked opponent the Flames will play in seven years, which leaves them unprepared.

Three issues to look at

1. How will Joshua Bolma fare in opposition to Liberty’s elite midfield duo? Bolma was completely electrical in Thursday night time’s season opener. Enjoying primarily as a midfielder, Bolma orchestrated each objectives, however was solely credited with one help. With Mitrevski and Clark patrolling the center for Liberty, Bolma could have his work minimize out for him.

2. Will Liberty’s offense have the identical success in opposition to the Terps’ protection? Three objectives is a wildly spectacular begin for the Flames, whose entrance line has not had time to ascertain correct chemistry. Then again, Radford had a poor season defensively final yr, as they allowed 40 objectives on a .699 save proportion. By the tip of Sunday night time, we’ll know whether or not Liberty’s offense is legit.

3. Can Maryland proceed its scorching begin? Taking down a top-10 opponent isn’t any simple process and head coach Sasho Cirovski ought to be extraordinarily happy with his troops. The Terps performed practically flawless on the offensive and defensive finish of the pitch as they managed the tempo all through the match. If Maryland sees Liberty as a faceless opponent and performs to its potential, they need to don’t have any subject beginning the season 2-0.