The Breakdown: A multi-faceted midfielder who can play in an attacking or deeper lying role, Crognale was a part of a midfield trio with Andrew Samuels and Amar Sejdic that helped propel the Terps to a national title in 2018. Named a captain for the 2019 season, Crognale became one of the best central midfielders in the country, cementing the legacy of his family in College Park following his All-American brother Alex.
The Story:
As a Senior (2019): Played 20 matches and started 19 with 1,638 minutes played...led the Terps with five assists and tied for second on the team with four goals...earned first-team All-Big Ten honors...earned second team United Soccer Coaches All-North Region honors...notched an assist in the season opener against South Florida (8/30)...helped the Terps earn shutouts against Akron (9/13), Villanova (9/16) and at Wisconsin (9/27)...tallied a goal against Cal State Fullerton (10/5)...notched an assist against Indiana (10/18)...notched an assist against Yale (10/21)...notched an assist at Ohio State (10/25)...scored a goal and grabbed an assist at Penn State (10/29)...scored a goal on senior day against Michigan (11/3)...scored the game winning goal at Northwestern (11/10) in the Big Ten Quarterfinals...helped the Terps shutout Iona in the first round of the NCAA Tournament (11/21).
As a Junior (2018): Played in 22 and started 21 matches of Maryland's National Championship winning season...played 1,780 minutes...notched four assists and was a staple of Maryland's central midfield pivot with Andrew Samuels...notched 14 shots...was named to the College Cup All-Tournament Team...came off the bench in the season opener at Washington (8/24) before starting in the remainder of his appearances...notched an assist at Rutgers (9/26)...played 90 minutes in the NCAA Tournament quarterfinals at Kentucky...notched an assist in the NCAA Tournament second round against NC State (11/18)...assisted on both goals and played all 90 minutes in the College Cup semifinals against second-seeded Indiana (12/7)...played 87 minutes in Maryland's 1-0 win over Akron in the College Cup final.
As a Sophomore (2017): Played in eight games...played a season-high 24 minutes against Cal Poly (9/4)...scored his first goal as a Terrapin off a 25-yard bomb against Rutgers (9/12)...appeared for four minutes in his return to Ohio at Ohio State (9/6)...scored his penalty kick in in the NCAA Tournament First Round shootout against Albany.
Before Maryland: Played one year at Belmont University in Nashville, earning Horizon League All-Freshman honors for the Bruins…tallied one goal and two assists on the year while leading the team in shots...played high school soccer at Gahanna Lincoln and also suited up for the Columbus Crew SC Academy.
Personal: Eli Crognale was born Dec. 12, 1997…son of Corey and Karen…has two brothers, Alex and Ben… Alex was an All-American defender at Maryland and is currently playing for the Columbus Crew while Ben played college soccer at Loyola (Chicago)…father, Corey, played baseball at Marietta College…major is Business.
