COLLEGE PARK, Md. – Jack Mahar scored a penalty kick in the 103
rd minute to lift top-seeded Indiana over the fifth-seeded Maryland men's soccer team, 1-0, in the Big Ten semifinals Friday night at Ludwig Field.
The XI
Niklas Neumann (GK)
Matt Di Rosa (LB),
Johannes Bergmann (LCB),
Brett St. Martin (RCB),
Ben Di Rosa (RB)
David Kovacic (CM),
Nick Richardson (CM)
Eli Crognale (CAM)
Malcolm Johnston (LW),
Eric Matzelevich (CF),
Justin Gielen (RW)
View From The Box
- It was the Hoosiers' night at Ludwig as the No. 1 seed was in control for most of the night. Maryland put in a fine shift in terms of its effort, but were not able to find much attacking thrust through the match.
- The Terps best passage of play was in the first 20 minutes, a period that produced some back-and-forth action. Eric Matzelevich and Matt Di Rosa both went on solo runs into the Indiana box, but good not find an end product.
- The story for the Terps was freshman goalkeeper Niklas Neumann. The German was sensational on the night with a career eight saves, including some spectacular ones in the second half to preserve the draw. The All-Big Ten second team selection has solidified himself as one of the top freshman stop stoppers in the nation.
- The Terps' team defending was fantastic throughout the night as they fended off 21 Indiana shots before the penalty kick ended the match in the second overtime period. Matt Di Rosa made an incredible goal line clearance at the end of the first half to keep the game tied.
- Unfortunately for Di Rosa, he was at the center of the final action of the contest. A Joshua Penn strike hit the arm of the Terps' left back, which drew the penalty kick of the Hoosiers. Mahar place the spot kick into the left corner to give Indiana the win.
- Maryland did have a couple of decent attempts in the overtime periods, but were unable to convert.
From The Boss
"Indiana was very good on the night. That's as good as they've played all year. We started brightly and then IU just took over. We couldn't maintain possession or put them under pressure. Niklas was outstanding today and showed that we have a special goalkeeper and our backline was terrific. We many of the things you have to do defensively to win a game like this. I was proud that our guys never gave up. They fought until the final whistle. Indiana was the better team tonight and I wish them all the best."–
Sasho Cirovski
Next Up
The Terps await their NCAA Tournament fate Monday. The NCAA Selection Show is Monday at 1 p.m. and will be streamed on NCAA.com.
