COLLEGE PARK, Md. – Excellence is a word that Maryland head coach Sasho Cirovski uses to define the overall goal for his program in all facets. That definition is not just talk as Cirovski enters his 26^thseason leading a program that is now one of the bluebloods of college soccer.
 
However, following an undefeated 10-0-3 start to the 2017 campaign, the Terps did not win again, losing five straight matches before falling in penalties in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament. With those struggles came a rededication to the fundamental aspects of embodying what Maryland soccer is about.
 
The progress has been steady since that disappointing November that ended the Terrapins' prior campaign. Cirovski's men embarked on an ambitious spring schedule that included a trip to England where Maryland went 3-0 on the field and became tighter knit off it. Report day this summer saw the addition of nine new faces, many of whom will be expected to contribute from day one and push an already talented core of experienced players whose goal is to win in December.
 
"I feel great about how we've reestablished the on-field identity of our program," Cirovski said. "I think we had gotten away from playing the kind of Maryland soccer that we've been known for. We had a great spring and that has carried over through preseason. I think we are back to being a team that will attack with purpose and be tougher to play against."
 
Before the Terps can get there, they will face a spectacular slate of opponents. It's a classic Cirovski schedule. Maryland opens with No. 24 Washington before ripping off a stretch against three of college soccer's powers, hosting three-time defending national champions Stanford and titan UCLA, with a showdown with historic rival Virginia in between at DC United's gleaming new Audi Field.
 
The schedule won't get easier in Big Ten play, as Maryland hosts No. 7 Michigan State and reigning Big Ten Tournament champs Wisconsin. A trip to face 2017 national runners up Indiana could be Maryland's toughest test and the Terps will close the season at Ann Arbor against a Michigan team that ripped the Big Ten regular season title out of the Terps' hands in the finale at Ludwig Field a season ago.
 
"I get excited when we schedule tough competition. This may be the toughest schedule of my career, but that excites me, that excites the players and that excites the fans," Cirovski said. "We hope to navigate it in a way that puts us in postseason contention and if we can survive it, we'll be in a great position."
 
A talented roster and an ambitious star-studded schedule, sounds like a Maryland soccer season. Lets dive into examining the players that will make this season a special one for Maryland fans.
 
Goalkeepers
 
Redshirt junior Dayne St. Clair enters his second season between the sticks for Maryland and could be primed for a breakout campaign that sees him place himself among the national elite. A pure shot stopper who makes the ridiculous save almost look routine, St. Clair was a bright spot for the Terps throughout the 2017 season and had signature performances against Indiana and then Wisconsin in the Big Ten Quarterfinals.
 
This season, St. Clair is one of three captains for Maryland and his emerging vocal leadership in the back is a key development for this Terps' outfit. St. Clair will battle Indiana's Trey Muse and Michigan State's Jimmy Hague for the honors of top goalkeeper in the conference, but the Canadian Youth National Teamer has the potential to be an All-American if his ceiling can be met.
 
"Last year, he was fantastic," Cirovski said. "He made a lot of big plays to keep us in games, but now I think he's matured very nicely and he's now in a position to provide leadership on and off the field."
 
Freshman Russell Shealy will serve as St. Clair's primary backup this season. A product of the noted Atlanta United Academy, the Peach State native has great range and has impressed in preseason practices. Maryland legacy Alejandro Chacon, a native of Venezuela whose father played tennis in College Park, will provide cover behind those two. Freshman Craig Eichelberger, recovering from a knee injury, is one to watch for Maryland fans in the future.
 
Defense
 
Perhaps Maryland's strongest position group, the Terps feature perhaps one of the most talented players in the country in centerback Donovan Pines. A specimen who is listed at 6-5, Pines is a fantastic athlete who dominates aerial battles and runs down many a forward. Coming off a second-team All-Big Ten season, the Clarksville native has started to add the ability to distribute and play out of pressure to his game, which may be the final piece of his puzzle.
 
Experienced German Johannes Bergmann compliments Pines perfectly at left centerback. A composed and tactically sound defender, Bergmann also brings a quality left foot to Maryland's set piece game and has the ability to deliver great service or score directly off a free kick.  On the outside, left back Chase Gasper, also a captain, is one of the best at his position in the country. A fiery competitor who is hard in the tackle and solid getting forward, Gasper has seen it all after playing his first two years at UCLA before transferring to Maryland prior to last season.
 
The right back slot could be filled by either senior Andrew Samuels or sophomore Ben Di Rosa as the Terps replace departed captain George Campbell. Samuels, who was a standout in defensive midfield for the Terps last season, covers a ton of ground and competes as well as any Terrapin. Di Rosa impressed on the Terps' England tour and will look to take the next step in his second campaign. Ben's brother Matt will provide cover on the left for Gasper while local products Nick Richardson and Brett St. Martin are solid option for the Terps should someone get a knock. St. Martin has impressed early on in August while Richardson, a first-team high school All-American, is expected to fit by midseason as he recovers from injury.
 
"Coming into 2017, our backline was a big question. Now I think it's one of our strengths," Cirovski said. "A healthy Chase, a stronger relationship between Donovon and Johannes along with quality at right back gives us an experienced backline. They are going to be a strength and that bodes well for the schedule we have."
 
Midfield
 
Replacing the departed Eryk Williamson and Jake Rozhansky, who tied for the Maryland lead with 17 points last season, will not be easy. Senior captain Amar Sejdic will look to lead the Terps in the center of the park. A solid distributer who connects play and can score when he needs too, Sejdic will look to rebound from a disappointing 2017 season after he was a first-team All-Big Ten selection in 2016.
 
"We want to get Amar back to that form in terms of production," Cirovski said. "He has been a stalwart for three years. He's one of our co-captains and is our on the field tactician. I expect him to have a very good year."
 
Samuels could factor in as a deeper lying defensive option while Eli Crognale, brother of former Maryland All-American Alex Crognale, started in the middle in Maryland's final tune up against Clemson. Slovakian Youth National Teamer Richard Bedats is a player the coaching staff is keen on. A vocal player who captained multiple youth national team, Bedats could be a key cog once he adjusts to the speed of the college game. Local products Paul Frendach and Mike Heitzmann will look to break into the lineup as well as Luca Levee, who has shown well in the preseason after a long road back from a major knee injury.
 
Attack
 
Maryland's struggles scoring hurt the team down the stretch and finding the final touch and the finishing ball will define much of the Terps'  2018 season. Senior Sebastian Elney will be a big part of Maryland's attack. The Florida native has served as mainly a No. 9, but will slide back into more of an attacking midfield role this season, a spot where he looked very comfortable in Maryland's England tour. A slick finisher who can score in a variety of different ways, Elney's emergence as a scorer and distributer will be key.
 
Sophomore Eric Matzelevich will lead the line in front of Elney. A physical presence, the Washington, D.C. native is adept at holding the ball up and works very hard in the attack. He will be flanked by Paul Bin and DJ Reeves. Bin, who does not have a fall goal in his two seasons in College Park, scored for fun in the spring and looks primed to breakout in 2018 with his speed and quality. Reeves, as senior, brings blazing speed to the right side and his ability to get to the byline stretches opposing defenses.
 
"Paul was a revelation in the spring with his speed and commitment on both sides of the ball," Cirovski said. "DJ has always dealt with nagging injuries and we think he can have a breakout year. I felt like we unlocked Sebastian when we gave him more freedom this spring. He had more flexibility to come into the midfield and he's shown very well. Eric is a workhorse up top. He puts a lot of pressure on opposing defenses with his workrate. That group did very well in the spring and we look for them to gel early this year."
 
A number of newcomers will factor into the attack. Freshman Justin Gielen is an out and out No. 9 who was a prolific scorer at nearby DeMatha while Vinicius Lansade and William James Herve will factor in on the flanks. Lansade played a major role in NYCFC's recent US Soccer Development Academy title while Herve, a native of France, is a tricky attacking player. Brayan Padilla, perhaps the most heralded of the bunch, will look to make an impact after his recovery from injury, with the staff hoping to have the FC Dallas product back by midseason.
 
"They will add a lot of quality to that front line," Cirovski said. "They are good on the ball and a lot of commitment going to goal. They add a lot of value and I think you'll see us rotate those guys a lot.
 
The Outlook
 
Take it away, Sasho.
 
"I think this is a team that is connected. They really trust each other and love each other. I think they are going to be a team that fans will appreciate and will resemble what Maryland soccer is all about."
 
Well we are ready, are you? Maryland kicks off its 2018 season Friday, August 24 at 11 p.m. against Washington.