Watching the Terrapin men’s soccer team play Villanova tonight, one can expect to see freshman midfielder Rodney Wallace streaking down alleys aggressively.
At some point, sophomore midfielder Drew Yates will likely be lurking around the goal, looking for a rebound opportunity after a shot. One might spot senior midfielder Stephen King delivering sharp passes, perhaps to high-octane freshman forward Billy Cortes or renewed sophomore midfielder Jeremy Hall.
Defenders A.J. Delagarza and Omar Gonzalez will almost certainly plant themselves in the middle of the defense in front of freshman goalkeeper Thorne Holder, who will be starting his sixth consecutive game. And midfielders Spencer Allen and Rich Costanzo will be running around trying to scrap their way toward forcing a change of possession or pushing the tempo downfield offensively.
After a rough start stemming from inexperience and a rigorous schedule, the Terps (5-4-3) are finally displaying a sense of identity. Coach Sasho Cirovski has found himself a relatively stable rotation after weeks of moving players from position to position and varying the starting lineup seemingly with each game.
Finally, stability seems to be in place and the team is showing chemistry.
“It’s a slow process. If you noticed, we’ve started at times four freshmen, and we’ve rotated guys at places,” Cirovski said. “I do believe the team is starting to really get the hunger and learning the strengths and weaknesses of each other.”
The Terps are planted directly in the middle of a nine-game home stand. The Ludwig Field atmosphere has proven rather favorable to the Terps, who are 4-1-2 at home this season.
That home-field atmosphere has also led the Terps to begin defining themselves as a skilled ball-control team with a talented defense. On the other hand, the Terps have consistently struggled to finish good offensive opportunities, and they are prone to occasional mental lapses on defense.
Those two negatives could prove crucial tonight against Villanova (9-4-0).
The Wildcats are known for staying back defensively when they take a lead, making it difficult for opponents to direct crosses into a crowded box. They defeated then-No. 2 Duke in Durham, N.C., earlier this season despite being outshot 25-4.
“They’re a team who believes in what they do,” Cirovski said. “It’s very difficult to come back against their team.”
The onus is now on the Terp offense. With Yates, Hall and Cortes finally giving the Terps a much-needed group of confident scorers, Cirovski needs those players, along with King and junior forward Graham Zusi, to prove capable of putting away shots.
Still, as the Terps’ identity continues to come into focus, the 17-year coaching veteran likes what he sees in his team, where he believes they could go.
“I think we’re still gaining momentum,” Cirovski said. “We’re getting more confident. We’re showing resiliency. I like where we are.
“If we pick up some wins here and get on a roll, we’re going to be right where we want to be.”
TERP NOTE: Holder has started the Terps’ last six games partly due to fellow freshman Will Swaim being hurt with an unspecified injury. But Cirovski said Swaim has regained form and is at 100 percent capacity for the first time in weeks. While Holder will start tonight, Swaim could start Sunday against Cal State-Northridge. It would be Swaim’s first start since his season-high nine save performance at Duke on Sept. 22.
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