Maryland men's soccer grinds out 1-0 win in season opener
Credit: Hannah Lewandowski / WMUC Sports
It looked like it may exist one of those nights for Maryland men's soccer. South Florida visited Ludwig Field and employed a defensive ready upward, and for the beginning 68 minutes, Maryland had very few chances despite dominating possession. But a modify in personnel provided the necessary spark.
Midfielder Malcom Johnston entered the game in the 66th infinitesimal, and iv minutes later rose to bury a corner kick into the back of the internet. And Johnston's quick impact gave Maryland a 1-0 lead it wouldn't lose.
Johnston's glancing header was the icebreaker in an otherwise tepid matchup. Still, the Terps took their one major chance and deposited the visiting Bulls 1-0 to open the 2022 season.
"That was i of the all-time feelings I've always felt in my life," Johnston said. "Looking at the crew, cheering us on… You can't ask for more than that."
Both sides took a while to settle into the game, in big part thanks to USF'south defensive prepare up. The Bulls deployed a five-four-i formation and defended with nine men behind the ball, a prepare upwardly that gave Maryland few opportunities in the opening minutes.
Attacking midfielder Luke Brown regularly found space between USF's midfield and defensive lines and was afforded some early opportunities. He contributed Maryland's first shot in the 4th infinitesimal, beating his defender before blasting a shot high and wide from outside the box.
The Terps had the start legitimate chance of the contest, as winger Brayan Padilla found striker Eric Matzelevich through on goal. Even so, his attempt to round the goalie was foiled, leaving the game tied at 0-0 after 11 minutes.
"Sometimes [Eric] works so hard that he doesn't accept his legs to end," Cirovski said. "We gotta notice the right balance."
A more than physical contest adult for the balance of the one-half. The good duo of midfielder Eli Crognale and Brown often found infinite, but was pressured — and often fouled — past an ambitious USF midfield.
"Information technology's the first fourth dimension we've seen that formation this year," Cirovski said. "I'yard glad we saw it."
In the concluding 20 minutes of the first one-half, Maryland introduced some new faces who found holes in USF's defensive fix. Matzelevich received regular service and fed marauding wingers in a lively stretch for the Terps. Simply they didn't have any spoils to prove for the stretch, with a Matzelevich miscue from close range the only real opportunity.
USF registered only one shot in the starting time half — a speculative strike from distance comfortably corralled past goalie Russell Shealy for one of his two saves on the day. Meanwhile, the Terps had seven shots, only nada on the lath as the commencement half whistle blew.
Cirovski stuck with the same organisation for the 2d half, and for the opening minutes, little changed. USF'south midfield matched upwards with Maryland's creative trio, cutting off creative opportunities in the concluding third. And the Bulls started to wait dangerous, pushing their fly backs up the flanks, forcing Maryland'south attack-minded full backs to stay in the defensive tertiary.
In response, Maryland tinkered with the midfield. Brown sat, with David Kovacic moving into the trio. Meanwhile, Johnston was introduced as a correct winger. He rewarded Cirovski'south faith with a header into the back of the net with 20 minutes to play.
"This night we got the ane moment we needed," coach Sasho Cirovski said. "So I'm very pleased."
The Bulls mustered a few attacks, but the Terps were equal to any bouts of pressure from the away team.
Although the Terps offense was halted for much of the evening, Johnston's game-winning goal was a positive sign. As Maryland prepares for its second bout with Virginia at nearby Audi Field, it hopes to exorcise the demons of last year's scoreless streak.
"Hopefully it raises anybody's confidence," Crognale said. "Just to step in under the brilliant lights and perform."
Source: http://wmucsports.net/maryland-mens-soccer-grinds-out-1-0-win-in-season-opener/
0 Response to "Maryland men's soccer grinds out 1-0 win in season opener"
Post a Comment