Match Preview: No. 8 Maryland vs. Penn State

Tuesday, September 20

College Park, Md.

7:00 PM

Maryland

Penn State

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9/19/2022 10:06:00 AM | Men's Soccer

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No. 8 Maryland (4-1-1) vs. Penn State (3-2-1)

September 20, 2022
Ludwig Field
7:00 pm EDT

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The No. 8 Maryland men's soccer team faces off with Penn State in the Big Ten home opener Tuesday night at Ludwig Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m., and the match will be broadcast on the Big Ten Network. Fans can also listen to the action on WMUC Sports.

THIS WEEK'S STORYLINES

The Terps opened Big Ten play with a 2-1 win over Michigan last Friday night. In front of a sellout crowd in Ann Arbor, Stefan Copetti's second half tally proved to be the difference as the Terps dominated the final 45 minutes against the Wolverines. The Terps have 13 goals from 11 different goal scorers so far this year.
Prior to the start of conference play, the Terrapins defeated local rivals Georgetown and Virginia last week and moved from No. 14 to No. 8 in the United Soccer Coaches Poll. Malcolm Johnston (Offensive) and Niklas Neumann (Defensive) earned Big Ten Player of the Week honors.
In a clash of programs separated by just a few miles, the Terps defeated then No. 21 Georgetown, 2-1, in the District Derby. First half goals from senior captains Malcolm Johnston and Nick Richardson proved to be the difference. Senior goalkeeper Niklas Neumann made five saves, including three highlight reel stops in the second half to preserve the victory.
The Terps rebounded from a loss to then No. 20 Denver with a resounding 6-1 win over Virginia in the Battle for the DMV at Audi Field on Labor Day. It was Maryland's highest goal output since 2012 and most goals against UVA since 1975.
Maryland began its 2022 season with a 2-1 win over No. 9 New Hampshire on opening night. Hunter George's first half volley put the Terps up 1-0 before Colin Griffith's first career goal in the second half proved to be the difference. The Terps held on to win, despite a late Wildcats goal, handing New Hampshire its first regular season loss since November of 2019.
The Terps followed up with a 1-1 draw against Liberty. William Kulvik scored his first career goal to level the match in the first half. Kulvik earned Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week honors.

About the Terps

Maryland entered the seasons following its 21st consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance in 2021. That streak is the second longest active streak in the nation.
The Terps feature returning 2021 Big Ten Freshman of the Year Joshua Bolma, 2021 All-Big Ten Second Team selection Niklas Neumann and 2021 Big Ten All-Freshman Team selection William Kulvik as well as returning starters Nick Richardson, Malcolm Johnston, Alex Nitzl, Chris Rindov and Hunter George.
The Terps added a talented incoming group of players, including first-team All-MAAC selection Stefan Copetti and two-time Division III Player of the Year German Giammattei. MLS NXT MVP Colin Griffith headlines the incoming freshmen class.
Maryland was picked third in the Big Ten preseason poll, behind defending regular season champion Penn State and defending tournament champion Indiana. Bolma, Neumann and Johnston were selected as Maryland's Big Ten Players to Watch. Bolma was also selected as a national player to watch by the United Soccer Coaches.

30 Seasons of Sasho

Hall of Fame head coach Sasho Cirovski is on the sidelines for his 30th season as the head coach of the Terps. Cirovski has led the Terps to a trio of national titles (2005, 2008, 2018) and 11 conference titles.
Cirovski's 29 NCAA Tournament appearances rank him first in the history of NCAA Division I soccer (27 at Maryland, two at Hartford). He has guided the Terps to nine appearances in the College Cup.
The star players that have come through College Park during Cirovski's tenure is a list unmatched in college soccer. He has produced 12 full USA internationals and made Maryland the only school with alums in the last four FIFA Men's World Cups.
Maryland will celebrate 30 seasons of Sasho on Oct. 14 against Wisconsin. The match will be played on Cirovski's birthday.

Head coach Sasho CirovskiMaryland Terrapins vs. Virginia at Audi Field in Washington DC on Monday, Sep. 5, 2022. Mackenzie Miles/Maryland Terrapins

20 Seasons of the Crew

Maryland men's soccer celebrates 20 seasons of The Crew, it's student supporters section, in 2022. The Sept. 2 match against Denver served as the "20 Seasons of The Crew" match.
Fans can also get an inside look at the origin and development of the most notorious fan section in college soccer on All-Access: The Crew. The mini documentary can be seen on Maryland Athletics' social channels, including Twitter, Facebook and YouTube. That piece can be watched here.
Students can sign up for The Crew here. Only students signed up for the The Crew will be eligible to pick of Crew scarves later in the season.

Maryland Terrapins vs. New Hampshire at Ludwig Field in College Park, MD on Thursday, Aug. 25, 2022. Mackenzie Miles/Maryland Terrapins

A view of 2022

The Terps once against play a fall schedule highlighted by high profile fixtures at home and on the road. As the Terps enter conference play at 3-1-1, every match left has significance.
Friday Night Lights clashes against Old Dominion (Sept. 30), Wisconsin (Oct. 14) and Michigan State (Oct. 21) highlight the remaining home slate that also includes a huge Big Ten Tuesday Night match against a preseason conference favorite in Penn State (Sept. 20).
The Terps complete the season at Big Ten rival Indiana.