Maryland Soccer Gets Back To Winning Ways

Dec 15, 2013; Chester, PA, USA; Maryland Terrapins forward Patrick Mullins (15) celebrates after scoring a goal against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the first half of the division I championship soccer game at PPL Park. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports

In front of a small crowd at Maryland’s Ludwig Field, the Terrapins snapped a four game winless streak with a 1-0 win over Dayton. After having over 7,000 people on hand for Friday’s Big Ten home opener, Maryland drew a crowd of less than 1,000 for their non-conference match up against the Flyers. Junior Mael Corboz scored the games lone goal in the 31st minute on a penalty kick.

Maryland’s offense has been struggling to get going all season, with one of the larger problems being the lack of a main striker. While a 1-0 win on Monday night and a 1-0 loss on Friday will do little to get fans excited, there are positives to be taken out of both games. On Friday night, Maryland outshot Michigan State 8-2, and on Monday they posted a season high sixteen shots. Despite the result of these 24 shots being only one goal (and it was converted off a penalty), it shows how much Maryland has been able to control games and put pressure on their opponents.

After starting the first five games of the season, highly touted freshman George Campbell was left off the starting eleven on Friday. Even though he didn’t register a shot in Friday’s loss, Campbell’s active play against Michigan State earned him a spot back in the eleven on Monday. Campbell was the Gatorade Player of the Year in Maryland last year, but he is yet to find the back of the net in a regular season game this year. Regardless, today and Friday were important steps for the young forward, and it is encouraging to see a young player respond positively to coaches decision to bring him off the bench. He finished Monday’s game with a team high four shots, with one shot on goal.

On Friday, Maryland fell behind early after giving up a goal in the 8th minute against Michigan State. Afterwards, Maryland showed that they were the better team, but couldn’t find the back of the net. Monday night was a different story, as Maryland came out with a game plan to put pressure on Dayton early. The Terrapins registered sixteen shots, drew sixteen fouls, and drew six yellow cards against Dayton. Maryland’s lone yellow card of the match came against Dave Kabelik, and as a forward it shows how much pressure Maryland’s front line was putting on Dayton’s defense.

The Terrapins home stand continues on Friday with their third Big Ten game of the season against Wisconsin. The Badgers will enter Friday’s game with a 1-4-1 record and an 0-1-0 record in the Big Ten. Wisconsin’s lone win came against Xavier (4-0), but since then the Badgers have lost three games and drew in their previous game against St. John’s 1-1. This will be Maryland’s third home game in a row, and after dropping Friday night’s game against Michigan State, it will be important for the Terrapins to get a win against Wisconsin.

Maryland vs Dayton

GK: Zack Steffen

Def: Mikey Ambrose, Jereme Raley, Suli Dainkeh, Chris Odoi-Atsem

Mid: Michael Sauers, Dan Metzger, Mael Corboz, Tsubasa Endoh

For: George Campbell, Dave Kabelik

Goals: Corboz (Penalty – 31′)

Discipline: Kabelik (Yellow)