The Breakdown: A dominant two-way midfield presence, Ben Bender has been exceptional in his first two seasons in College Park. The local product has developed into one of the best midfielders in the country, displaying goal scoring instincts, creative flair and defensive discipline in the center of the park. An All-Big Ten selection in his first two campaigns, he was the unanimous Big Ten Midfielder of the Year in 2021.Â
Honors
- 2021 United Soccer Coaches First Team All-American
- 2021 United Soccer Coaches All-North Region First Team
- 2021 Big Ten Midfielder of the Year
- 2021 All-Big Ten First TeamÂ
- 2x Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week
- 2020-21Â All-Big Ten Second Team
- 2020-21 All-Big Ten Freshman Team
As a Sophomore (2021): United Soccer Coaches First Team All-American...United Soccer Coaches First Team All-Region...Big Ten Midfielder of the Year...First Team All-Big Ten...two-time Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week...Played in 18 games and started 16...scored seven goals and notched five assists...played 1,381 minutes...scored goals early in the second against UMBC (8/29) and Virginia (9/6)...had single assist games against George Mason (9/3), Michigan (9/17), at Ohio State (9/24) and against Northwestern (10/8)...scored in five consecutive matches: at Delaware (10/12, OT game winner), vs. Pacific (10/16), at Michigan State (10/22), at Penn State (10/26) and vs. Indiana (10/13)...also had an assist against Indiana...that goal scoring streak was the longest since former Mac Hermann Trophy winner Jason Garey in 2005...helped the Terps complete their first undefeated regular season at home since 2016.Â
As a Freshman (2020-21): All-Big Ten Second Team...All-Big Ten Freshman Team...Started all 11 games in his first season...scored two goals...played 977 minutes...recorded 29 shots including nine on goal...made his Maryland debut and played 80 minutes at Penn State (2/19)...played all 90 minutes against Ohio State (2/27)...played 81 minutes at Rutgers (3/3)...played 90 minutes against Wisconsin (3/7) and at Michigan (3/11)...played 85 minutes against Michigan State (3/19)...scored his first career goal at Northwestern (3/27)...scored a goal against Penn State (3/31)...played 104 minutes and scored a PK in the penalty shootout against Rutgers in the Big Ten Quarterfinals (4/10)...played 78 minutes in the Big Ten semifinals at Indiana (4/14)...played all 90 minutes in the NCAA Tournament second round against Missouri State (5/2).
Before Maryland: Starred at Calvert Hall as a four-year starter under head coach Rich Zinkand…team captain…scored 15 goals in his senior season…named a 2019 Allstate All-American…named a Top Drawer Soccer State Star after his junior season…two-time All-MIAA selection…second-team Baltimore Sun All-Metro selection as a junior after scoring nine goals and six assists…helped Calvert Hall capture the MIAA A Conference Championship his freshman season….played club soccer for Baltimore Armour under coach Mike Lookingland…appeared 16 times for the U-16/17 team and scored five goals…scored six goals over 20 appearances for the U-18/19 squad…named the best XI at the 2017 Sarasota Showcase…won three consecutive state cups…made the honor roll at Calvert Hall…son of Mark and Mindy…has two brothers: Jacob and Josh.
Sasho on Ben: "Ben is a sublimely skillful attacking player who can play in both wide areas as well as centrally. He has the ability to unbalance teams through his dribbling and his passing which allows him to be both a creator and a finisher."
