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Maryland Soccer: Terps scrap for a draw in Top 5 matchup

By Wesley Brown

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 10: The Maryland Terrapins mascot walks on the court during the Terrapins and Northwestern Wildcats game during the Big Ten Basketball Tournament at Verizon Center on March 10, 2017 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 10: The Maryland Terrapins mascot walks on the court during the Terrapins and Northwestern Wildcats game during the Big Ten Basketball Tournament at Verizon Center on March 10, 2017 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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Sasho Cirovski and the Maryland soccer team looked to continue their roll into Big Ten play as they hosted No. 4 Indiana on Friday night.

The Terrapins held Indiana to a 0-0 draw, keeping both teams unbeaten. It was quite different from the thrilling overtime victory that Maryland recorded against UCLA last Friday evening.

Through the first 90 minutes of play, Indiana seemingly had Maryland’s number in all phases. The Hoosiers had seven corner kicks to just three from the Terps, while also forcing goalie Dayne St. Clair to make four saves.

“We were the second best team on the field tonight,” coach Sasho Cirovski said.

Indiana ended the 110-minute game with six shots on goal to Maryland’s zero.

St. Clair was easily the bright spot in this game, but it’s all natural to the team. Captain George Campbell said “we expect him to make those saves”.

When asked about his last season as a redshirt under Cody Niedermeier, St. Clair admitted he has “some big shoes to fill”, but he knows that Niedermeier was the best person to show him how to compose himself on and off the field.

Because of the way Indiana pressures the ball, the back line was really the only part of Maryland’s game that made a difference.

Cirovski added that his midfielders and forwards were not connected in their defending or attacking for the first time all year. This break down was critical, and explains how the Terrapins went 110 minutes without a shot on goal.

Cirovski noted this was a “disappointing effort”, and Campbell noted that “every step back that we take as a program, we always build back.”

Next: Maryland Football: Terps tangle with local foe Towson

Maryland will try to continue their undefeated season on Tuesday evening against Rutgers at Ludwig Field.