The Terps look to continue eight-game unbeaten streak.
Maryland men’s soccer heads into its Saturday night matchup against Michigan State looking to remain unbeaten in Big Ten play.
They have a tall task standing in their way, though. Michigan State is coming into the match on a two-game winning streak. It will be the Terps and Spartans third game in eight days.
The game will start at 7:30 p.m. at Ludwig Field and air on Big Ten Plus.
Michigan State Spartans (4-4-2, Big Ten 3-1-0)
The Spartan’s profile is similar to Maryland’s previous opponent, Penn State. Both teams faced some struggles early in the season, but entered their matchups with Maryland on a hot streak.
The Spartans most impressive victory came a week ago, when they went on the road to then-No. 15 UCLA and handed them a 1-0 defeat. They followed that up with a 1-0 win over a scrappy Northwestern team on Tuesday night.
One difference from the Penn State match, which resulted in a 1-1 draw, that Maryland head coach Sasho Cirovski feels will benefit the Terps is the lack of a rest advantage.
“We’ll be on even terms with Michigan State this weekend, because they played [Tuesday] as well,” Cirovski said. “So I think we’ll be in a better place physically and mentally for Saturday.”
The Spartans are led by veteran head coach Damon Rensing, who is in his 16th season with the program.
Players to Watch
Jonathan Stout, junior midfielder, No. 6 — Stout picked up right where left off after his first-team All Big-Ten selection in 2023. He has been the definition of a difference maker so far, with four goals and an assist from the midfield. Two of his goals have secured the Spartans victories.
Josh Adam, junior defender, No. 14 – Fresh off a redshirt year, Adam has been reliable as they come playing all 900 minutes of Michigan State’s season on the back line. He has led the way for a defense that has recorded four shutouts to this point.
Jeremy Sharp, junior defender, No. 17 – Sharp provides a dynamic presence at the wingback position for the Spartans. He has seven career assists and was selected to the All Big-Ten second team in 2023.
Strength
Defense. Like the rest of their team, Michigan State’s defense didn’t have the strongest start to the 2024 season. Through the start of conference play, though, the defense has hit its stride recording shutouts in three of four conference matchups. Maryland’s forwards will have to work hard to find goals Saturday night.
Weakness
Forwards. With Stout leading the way in goals from the midfield, no Michigan State forward has recorded more than one goal this season. Terps center backs William Kulvik and Bjarne Thiesen should feel confident in their defensive responsibilities, although it will be important for the midfielders not to lose track of Stout.
Three things to watch
1. Set piece defense. Maryland’s defense has been nothing short of stellar, particularly since the beginning of Big Ten play. It has conceded two goals in four games, both of which came from set pieces. If the Terps can prevent the Spartans from scoring in one of those situations, they will have a chance to shut them out.
2. Sheppela’s emergence. In the second half of Tuesday’s match against Penn State, it seemed that freshman forward Aidan Sheppela played his way into being favored over regular starter Sadam Masereka. Do not be surprised if Sheppela is given the nod over Masereka in the starting lineup or sees an increased role off the bench.
3. Can Maryland find another goal scorer? While discussing the improved play of forward Colin Griffith, who has four goals in Maryland’s last five games, Cirovski emphasized the importance of other attackers becoming more of a scoring threat. Whether it be Max Rogers, Sheppela or someone else, the Terps would greatly benefit from another forward finding his scoring form.