Maryland Finishes Home Stand With Loss To Georgetown

Dec 13, 2013; Chester, PA, USA; Virginia Cavaliers forward Darius Madison (9) fights for the ball with Maryland Terrapins defenseman Suli Dainkeh (22) at PPL Park. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports

On Tuesday night, the Maryland Terrapins men’s soccer team concluded their four game home stand with a 1-0 loss to Georgetown. Hoyas forward Brandon Allen entered the game with seven goals and two assists on the season, and was the focus of Maryland’s defense. After doing a good job of frustrating Allen and limiting his touches, he broke free in the 78th minute and scored the game winner. It was Maryland’s first team losing to Georgetown, as they led the series 28-0-1 before Tuesday’s result.

Maryland entered the Battle of the Beltway on a two game winning streak after beating Dayton and Wisconsin, but couldn’t continue the winning streak against the local rival. Georgetown was a different team than the opponents Maryland had played so far this season. On the home stand against Michigan State, Dayton, and Wisconsin, Maryland played teams who were willing to concede possession to the Terrapins and play defensive. The Hoyas on the other hand, attacked Maryland from the beginning and never let up. This made the game more open than what Maryland was used to, and even though it was bigger challenge, the Terrapins were up to the test for most of the ninety.

The game was even between both teams despite the attacking nature of the Hoyas. After early adjustments, Maryland found themselves going head to head against the number seven team in the country and showed many that they can compete with the top teams in the country. The first half ended scoreless with Georgetown holding a 4-3 shot advantage, and both teams had a couple of chances to take an early lead that were missed.

Following the half, Maryland came out with a high pressure scheme that allowed them to maintain more possession and to gain possession quickly after losing the ball. Midfielders Dan Metzger and Tsubasa Endoh were finding space in the middle of the pitch, but neither were able to set up the forwards with goal scoring opportunities. Freshman George Campbell started tonight, but as has been the case all year, he was unable to produce any chances. Campbell’s hustle is great, but he lacks the size to win long balls, and hasn’t been able to find the ball in the attacking third.

On the defensive side of the ball, Suli Dainkeh, Mikey Ambrose, Chris Odoi-Atsem, and Jereme Raley combined to do a great job of slowing down the Georgetown attack. Junior Brandon Allen and sophomore Alex Muyl are one of the nations best attacking duos and for 75 minutes Maryland frustrated them and prevented them for leaving a mark on the game. Muyl was often seen shouting at Maryland defenders, the ref, and Georgetown players throughout the game as he struggled to find space and found himself on the ground during most plays. However, both are great players and in the 78th minute they took advantage of a Maryland turnover with a timely three on one break, which lead to Allen’s eighth goal of the season. Allen and Muyl finished with two shots each, which is below their average of 3.4 and 4.3 shots per game. Despite the great work defensively, great players only need a small mistake to make a team pay, and tonight that was the case.

Maryland’s struggles at the forward position have been well documented throughout the season. Tonight it was Campbell and Carbajal who started up top for the Terrapins. Between them, they had one shot with the lone shot not being on goal. Junior David Kabelik didn’t play in the first half, and was used as a brief sub in the second half up top. While he combined on a well run give and go with Mael Corboz, an extra pass led to a turnover and missed opportunity. Senior Alex Shinsky was given a run as the lone forward for half of the first half, and his pressure caused a couple of Georgetown turnovers in the midfield. However, Shinsky lacks the ball control or the one on one attacking play to take advantage of quick turnovers in the midfield.

Sunday afternoon the Terrapins will be back in action for their second Big Ten road game against Northwestern. The Wildcats are winless in the Big Ten, but are coming off a positive 1-1 draw at #16 Indiana. Northwestern will present another tough Big Ten challenge similar to the game against Michigan State. Northwestern has nine goals in nine games, but they have only conceded four goals on the year with two of them to Ohio State. While its early in the Big Ten season, Maryland finds themselves in a four way tie for second place with Indiana, Michigan State, and Rutgers, all of whom have four points. Picking up three points on the road would do a lot for the teams confidence as they get ready to face VCU and #4 Penn State at Ludwig Field next week.

Maryland Starters vs Georgetown

GK: Zack Steffen

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

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

For: George Campbell

Discipline: Ambrose (Yellow – 66′)

Next Game: At Northwestern Sunday October 5 on BTN