COLLEGE PARK, Md. – Maryland men's soccer head coach Sasho Cirovski announced the Terrapins' 2019 schedule Wednesday, which includes College Cup rematches at Ludwig Field against Akron and Indiana along with a Labor Day matchup against Virginia at D.C. United's Audi Field in Washington D.C.
The defending national champion Terps' home slate also includes an opening night match with USF along with Big Ten matchups against Michigan, Northwestern and Rutgers. The Terps will also travel to face UCLA, Georgetown and Villanova in non-conference action, with the Villanova match occurring at Talen Energy Stadium, home of the Philadelphia Union.
Maryland will take on seven teams that advanced to the NCAA Tournament in 2018, including all three teams that joined the Terps in the College Cup in 2018: Indiana, Akron and Michigan State
"I am thrilled to announce our challenging and exciting 2019 schedule," Cirovski said. "After our tough slate last season prepared us well for our postseason run, we once again will face a quality slate of opponents. The chance to host Akron and Indiana, our two College Cup opponents from 2018, at Ludwig Field is fantastic and another match at Audi Field against Virginia is a great opportunity. I know our team and our amazing fan base will be ready."
After three home exhibition matches with Loyola (8/17), Temple (8/18) and North Carolina (8/24), the Terps open their 2019 regular season with USF at Ludwig Field on Aug. 30. Maryland will then renew its rivalry with Virginia on Labor Day at Audi Field in Washington D.C. on Sept. 2.
The Terps will make a trip to Los Angeles to take on UCLA on Sept. 6. The following Friday, Maryland and Akron will face off in a College Cup Final rematch at Ludwig Field (Sept. 13). The Terps defeated the Zips, 1-0, to capture their fourth national title in program history in 2018.
On September 16, the Terps will make the short trip to Chester, Pa., to take on Villanova at Talen Energy Stadium. The Big Ten opener against Northwestern follows at Ludwig Field on Sept. 20. The Terps then face St. John's at Ludwig on Sept. 23.
Maryland's first Big Ten road match comes on Sept. 27 at Wisconsin before a pair of home fixtures against Rutgers (Oct. 2) and Cal State Fullerton (Oct. 5). The Terps will then travel to East Lansing to take on 2018 College Cup semifinalist Michigan State (Oct. 11) followed by a short trip to Georgetown on Oct. 14.
Maryland will clash with Indiana in a rematch of the College Cup semifinals on Oct. 18 at Ludwig Field. The Terps defeated the Hoosiers in the College Cup, 2-1, in 2018.
A home match with Yale (10/21) comes before a two-match Big Ten road swing against Ohio State (10/25) and Penn State (10/29). Maryland finishes the regular season at home against Michigan (11/3).
The 2019 College Cup will be played at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, N.C., December 13-15.
On Maryland:
The Terps return five starters from their 2018 National Championship winning squad, including Big Ten All-Freshman team selection sophomore William James Herve and College Cup All-Tournament selections senior Eli Crognale and junior Ben Di Rosa. Starting center back Johannes Bergmann and four-goal scorer Paul Bin also will be back for their senior campaigns.
The Terps outfit also features a number of key reserves from the national title run, including Eric Matzelevich, Justin Gielen, Matt Di Rosa, Vinicius Lansade and Brett St. Martin. Maryland also adds a talented incoming class to the equation in 2019.
Head coach Sasho Cirovski, fresh off his third national title, has created the best atmosphere in college soccer at Ludwig Field. Maryland finished second in average home attendance in 2018, lifted by the notorious student fan section, "The Crew".
