Surging Indiana Soccer Faces Slumping Maryland Friday Night
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — Ever since Maryland joined the Big Ten Conference for the 2014 season, the Terrapins have landed at least in the middle, but usually in the top portion of the conference’s men’s soccer standings.
The Terps won the regular season in their debut in 2014, as well as 2016 and 2022. Meanwhile, they’ve contended for 22 consecutive NCAA Tournament bids dating back to 2001.
That streak, however, is in grave jeopardy.
Maryland is winless in the Big Ten through six tries, posting an 0-4-2 record. This is unheard of for the program, and the Terps have declined to last place in the Big Ten with two points. Ohio State is in eighth with four points. Only the top eight teams make the conference tournament, which is now the ticket the Terps must obtain to make the NCAA Tournament. They won’t receive an at-large bid.
“Similar to us, earlier in the year, they were creating a lot of good chances,” Indiana head coach Todd Yeagley said Wednesday. “They were running against some hot goalkeepers … They were outplaying most of their opponents … I think they were obviously maybe still tinkering with the lineup … We’re catching Maryland at a time when they’re probably at their better point of the season.”
But Maryland is also on the brink of missing the Big Ten Tournament. There’s little time, and the Terps only have two Big Ten matches. They’ll play the Buckeyes in their regular season finale next week. Ohio State has two matches left, excluding Maryland, which means an added matchup to gain points and bury the Terps. Sure, Ohio State could lose out, so it’s not sudden death quite yet for the Terps. But it’s darn close, and Maryland’s home matchup with Indiana Friday is really all-or-nothing.
“We have to know we’re going to get a really emotional Maryland,” Yeagley said. “When you get into postseason play, everything’s on the line, right. It’s win-or-go-home. We beat them there in the Big Ten semi (last season). (We) gave up a late goal to tie (Maryland), which was a title game. This team’s played with pressure, and Maryland’s played with pressure … We know they’ll come ready.”
On the contrary, Indiana’s motivation derives from the packed league title sprint with just two weeks left in the season. And the Hoosiers, winners of three straight, have turned on the afterburners in October as they’ve done the past two seasons. Indiana has vaulted into the top-50 RPI and is two points shy of four — yes four — co-leaders in the Big Ten.
The Hoosiers have three matches left.
“We used to say, ‘We go 1-0 three times, we win it,’” Yeagley said. “That’s all our focus is.”
Indiana starter and defensive midfielder Hugo Bacharach initially injured and then re-injured his shoulder in the first half of the team’s win last Sunday. Following halftime, the senior’s arm was slung exiting the locker room, and he didn’t return to the field. Yeagley revealed Wednesday that the staff is optimistic that Bacharach can play Friday. Common substitute, freshman forward Clay Murador, also suffered an injury Sunday afternoon. Murador’s availability is presently unknown.
Indiana’s matchup at Maryland kicks off at 8:30 p.m. ET Friday and will air on Big Ten Network.
Related stories on Indiana Soccer:
- INDIANA BEATS OHIO STATE 2-1: Captain Joey Maher scored the Hoosiers' first goal, but blamed himself for allowing Ohio State's equalizer. Karsen Henderlong picked him up. CLICK HERE
- INDIANA SOCCER BLANKS EVANSVILLE: Taking a break from Big Ten play, Indiana beat Evansville 2-0 at home Wednesday night. The match was delayed an hour in the second half due to lightning. CLICK HERE
- SEASON OUTLOOK: BACHARACH'S PLACEMENT IN THE MIDFIELD: Defender Hugo Bacharach, starting in the midfield for the first time this season, had two assists Saturday. Bacharach commanded the space; this could be the answer. CLICK HERE
- INDIANA BEATS NO. 19 PENN STATE 2-1 ON THE ROAD: Indiana faced Penn State on the road Saturday at Noon ET, winning 2-1 to leap in the RPI and gain points for the Big Ten title hunt. A recap from Happy Valley: CLICK HERE
- JT HARMS FEATURE: JT Harms dove into goalkeeping at 9 years old. He trained with far older players at academies, but his progress stalled at Duke. At Indiana, a position battle brought humility — and confidence. CLICK HERE