Maryland moved back up the rankings this week following an upset of No. 2 UConn and a convincing win over league-foe Virginia Tech, 7-0, last week. Let's take a look at some notes from the Terps' latest run.
· I would like to begin this blog with a shameless plug for TerpsTV. If you are a men's soccer fan and do not have at least a monthly membership for TerpsTV (available by clicking here), you are missing out!
We realize we have the best fans in the country packing Ludwig Field, but if you are unable to make it to College Park for game day, this is definitely the next best option. With Tony Limarzi and Jeff Rohrman covering all the action live, postgame interviews with head coach Sasho Cirovski, matches against Clemson, Colgate and Wake Forest remaining in the month of October, and a Terrapin offense that seems to be running on all cylinders right now, why not subscribe today?
· Speaking of offense, the Terps seem to have found their attacking groove as of late. Maryland has outscored its opponents 13-0 in its last four outings, including a 7-0 explosion against Virginia Tech last Friday. Patrick Mullins and Sunny Jane have teamed up for six goals this season, the highest-scoring rookie class for Maryland through 11 matches since the 2008 freshmen group. That class, which played an integral part in Maryland's title run, boasted nine goals at this point in the season - seven from Casey Townsend and one each from Matt Kassel and Matt Oduaran.
· The freshman class picked up its first national honor this week after Mullins was named to College Soccer News' National Team of the Week. The freshman tallied five points last week, highlighted by the game-winner against No. 2 UConn.
· Enough about the offense - how about this Maryland defense? Four consecutive shutouts against the likes of No. 9 Duke and No. 2 UConn, it is becoming clear that the backline is beginning to gel, and just at the right time! In front of seasoned goalkeeper Zac MacMath, Ethan White and Alex Lee are sealing up the central defense while Taylor Kemp and London Woodberry patrol the outside. What is most promising about this unit is that not one starter is a senior.
· I thought I'd wrap up this week's blog with a small alumni update. Congrats again to Leo Cullen for being named to the Maryland Athletics Hall of Fame. We wish him and former teammate Russell Payne much luck in their first season heading up Army men's soccer program. Maryland continues to show why they are one of the main pipelines to the MLS with two former Terps being named among the top 15 on MLSSoccer.com's "24 Under 24 - Counting Down the Top Young Players in the MLS." Robbie Rodgers was 15th on the list while last season's MLS Rookie of the Year Omar Gonzalez came in at No. 2.
24 Under 24: #2 Omar Gonzalez (LA Galaxy)
Hulking defender has US fans salivating over 2014
http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/24-under-24-omar-gonzalez-la-galaxy
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