Maryland Tops Rutgers To Move Into Big Ten Semifinal
By Art Ferrer
Maryland celebrates their quarterfinal victory over Rutgers. It’s the second time in less than a week that the Terrapins defeated their fellow Big Ten newcomer. (Mandatory Credit: Maryland Men’s Soccer Twitter Account)
For the second time this week, Maryland beat Rutgers in men’s soccer. On Wednesday, the Terps won 3-2 to clinch the Big Ten regular season title. On Sunday, it was a 2-0 win in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten tournament. Maryland scored in both halves, and used tight defense to limit any chances by Rutgers.
Mael Corboz got Maryland started again on Sunday against his former team. Corboz spent most of the match drawing hard fouls from his former teammates who seemed to want to give him a little bit extra attention. But it was a foul drawn on Alex Shinsky inside the box that set up Corboz for a penalty kick with under fifteen minutes to play in the first half.
Alex Shinsky’s ball control has improved greatly since the start of the season. Each game Shinsky has been improving and showing great form. On Sunday he showed off his dribbling ability in the box, which drew the penalty kick. The Rutgers defender had made up his mind on slide tackling Shinsky, but when he went to do it, Shinsky had moved the ball and the tackle came in on his leg.
Tight defense and deep possessions helped Maryland in the first half to limit Rutgers chances. Sophomore goalie Zack Steffen wasn’t challenged until the closing minutes of the first half with a free kick. Steffen made an easy save on this opportunity, which was the only one Rutgers had in the first half.
In the second half Maryland had several opportunities to grab a two-goal lead. Rutgers goalie David Greczek made a good save on a shot by Dan Metzger, while David Kabelik was flagged for offsides on a couple of occasions. Kabelik played most of the second half for Michael Sauers and did a good job of stretching the field, however he was unable to get the timing down with his teammates on a couple of runs.
George Campbell continued his recent hot streak with another goal, the second of the game. Combination play between Tsubasa Endoh and Mikias Eticha helped to set up Jereme Raley on the right side of the box. The ball played by Eticha to Raley was key in the build up as it set him up to delivery a cross. Raley played the ball across the box into position for Campbell to one time a shot past Greczek. Campbell entered Maryland this season with a lot of hype, but struggled in the beginning of the year. He was dropped from the starting eleven and the move helped to spark the nine game winning streak Maryland is on. Credit to Campbell for not being down on himself and accepting a role off the bench. His play has improved since moving to the bench, which has made him a deadly substitute.
Rutgers had a couple of chances late, but never truly challenged Steffen. A miscommunication between Maryland left back, Mikey Ambrose, and Steffen nearly allowed Rutgers to pull a goal back. Instead the two cleared the ball and maintained Steffen’s clean sheet.
Sunday was the quarterfinal round of the Big Ten tournament. By beating Rutgers, Maryland moved the tournament to College Park. The semi-final and finals will be held at Ludwig field on Friday and Sunday November 14 and 16.
Michigan State extended Penn State’s downward fall in the Big Ten with a 1-0 victory in State College. The Spartans will play Maryland next, and won the regular season match up in College Park 1-0. Maryland was without Tsubasa Endoh and Alex Shinsky in the game, and struggled to break down a well-organized Spartans defense. An early turnover deep in Maryland’s area gave Michigan State a break away goal, which was the difference in the match.
On the other side of the bracket, Ohio State faced Michigan in another rematch of a Wednesday game. The Buckeyes beat Michigan on Wednesday, and beat their hated rival again on Sunday 1-0. In another upset, Indiana and Northwestern played to a 0-0 tie but Indiana will advance to College Park thanks to a 5-4 penalty shoot out. Indiana had been trending down after drawing and losing in their final two games of the season, while Northwestern was in form thanks to back-to-back Big Ten wins. Indiana beat Ohio State in Columbus 2-1 earlier this season.
The Terps drew Michigan State in the 3:40 p.m. game, and will be held at Ludwig Field in College Park on Friday. This will add to an exciting weekend on campus at Maryland with the basketball season tipping off Friday night and the football team facing the Spartans on Saturday.