No. 8 Maryland men’s soccer vs. Northwestern preview

No. 8 Maryland males’s soccer is on a roll, profitable three straight video games and 6 of its final seven.

After tying Penn State, 3-3, the Terps vowed to scrub up their protection and restrict errors after surrendering a season-high in targets. Maryland caught to its phrase and grinded out two shutout wins towards then-No. 13 Ohio State and Outdated Dominion.

With these elite defensive performances underneath their belt, the Terps had a real check forward of them as they took on the very best offensive group within the Massive Ten in Rutgers.

As anticipated, the Scarlet Knights challenged Maryland early. Rutgers senior ahead MD Myers scored two targets in two minutes, placing the Terps in a deep gap. With all of the momentum in Rutgers’ favor, senior ahead Hunter George obtained a throw-in, dribbled towards the field and rifled a 25-yarder into the highest left nook of the online.

This halted the Scarlet Knights’ momentum till Maryland took over within the second half. Senior midfielder Malcolm Johnston tied the sport with a powerful bicycle kick and redshirt senior Nick Richardson accomplished the comeback together with his third profession aim.

Now, the Terps shift their focus to Sunday after they hit the street to play Northwestern. The sport will start at 1 p.m. and might be streamed on BTN Plus.

Northwestern (1-6-3, 0-3-1 Massive Ten)

2021 file: 6-9-3 (3-5)

Head coach Russell Payne is in his second 12 months with Northwestern after 11 seasons at Military. Payne achieved some success at West Level, together with a 12-3-3 file in 2013. Previous to teaching the Black Knights, he performed and coached at Maryland underneath head coach Sasho Cirovski. As an assistant coach, Payne helped lead the Terps to 2 nationwide championships (2005, 2008) and 83 wins over a five-year span.

Nonetheless, Payne has not discovered the identical success with the Wildcats, as he at present holds a 7-15-6 file.

Gamers to observe

Justin Weiss, junior ahead, No. 6 — Weiss has been the Wildcats’ finest participant during the last two years. As a sophomore, he began in all 17 matches and led the group in factors (18) with eight targets and two assists. This season, Northwestern’s win complete has diminished and so has Weiss’ manufacturing. The junior solely has three targets and two assists by way of 10 video games. Nonetheless, he’s nonetheless a one-man offense ready to erupt.

Collin McCamy, sophomore midfielder, No. 4 — McCamy was a staple in Northwestern’s midfield final 12 months, beginning 10 of his 17 appearances and incomes a unanimous choice onto the All-Massive Ten freshman group. He solely recorded one aim, however offered worth on a stable Wildcats protection. Northwestern is struggling on the defensive finish this season, although, and can want McCamy to step up towards the most effective offenses within the nation.

Vicente Castro, senior midfielder, No. 10 — Castro is the Wildcats’ important facilitator. He has 16 profession assists and 7 in 2021, which ranks seventh in program historical past. Castro has had a stable season with one aim and three assists, however might want to step it up if Northwestern has hopes of upsetting the Terps.

Energy

Teaching. The Wildcats have struggled to discover a true identification this season. They aren’t dominant on the offensive or defensive finish, which creates a difficult path to beat Maryland. The one approach Northeastern can take down the Terps is thru schemes and changes, and if anybody can determine Cirovski, it’s his previous assistant Payne.

Weak spot

Protection. The Wildcats are one of many worst defensive groups within the Massive Ten this 12 months. They’ve allowed probably the most targets within the convention (25) and have the third-lowest save proportion (.648). It’s arduous to think about this being any totally different come Sunday.

Three issues to observe

1. The place will Maryland dominate? The final 4 video games for the Terps have consisted of two three-goal video games and two shutouts. Maryland has proven the power to take over video games on both facet of the ball. So the query turns into, will the Terps reap the benefits of Northwestern’s protection, offense or each?

2. Has Nick Richardson became an offensive weapon? By way of his first 4 seasons as a Terp, Richardson performed a primarily defensive function. He recorded 5 assists and 0 targets in 47 appearances as he not often regarded to attain. However issues are totally different this 12 months, because the redshirt senior is second on the group in factors (10), tallying a career-high in targets (3) and assists (4). Together with his effectivity skyrocketing, the Terps’ offense has by no means been extra harmful.

3. Can Maryland get its revenge? Regardless of having lower than half their wins, Northwestern defeated the Terps within the Massive Ten Event final season. Maryland was the No. 2 seed and didn’t even make it previous the primary spherical due to a Wildcat upset, halting its efforts to carry a trophy again to School Park. Nonetheless, Maryland holds all the energy this time round because the Terps are the No. 8 ranked group within the nation whereas Northwestern solely has one win.