The Terrapin men’s soccer team appeared to be in trouble.
As October rolled around, the Terps were 3-4-1 and 0-3-0 in the ACC. They fell out of the rankings for the first time since 2004. They were struggling to score. They were banged up. Players were being constantly moved around. But they were going home.
And the nine-game homestand has proven to be the necessary antidote for the Terps’ struggles. Since returning to the friendly confines of Ludwig Field, the No. 19 Terps have compiled a 6-0-3 record, returning to the national rankings and playing their best soccer of the season.
Where to go from here?
Back on the road, of course.
The Terps (9-4-4, 3-3-1 ACC) head down to North Carolina (6-6-5, 3-4-0) to close out their regular season. It will be their first road game in over a month and an important opportunity to add a road win to their NCAA resumé, something the Terps lack.
Two of the Terps’ road efforts, a 1-1 tie with Indiana and a 2-1 double-overtime loss at Duke, specifically stick out as missed opportunities. The Terps controlled most of the second halves in each games, and have suffered a few other tough road losses.
“We’ve been a little unlucky with our road games,” defender Spencer Allen said. “There have been a couple that we thought we should have come out with a win.”
The issues that killed the Terps in those road games are to be expected with a young team. Poor shooting, a disjoined offensive play and a lack of defensive communication all played major roles.
Early in the first overtime period against Duke, midfielder Stephen King passed the ball perfectly to forward Graham Zusi near the penalty marker. Zusi was open for the potentially game-winning shot, but he fired just wide. Such was the luck of the Terps for most of the early season.
“In all previous five [road] outings, we’ve played well on the road but we haven’t been rewarded for our play,” coach Sasho Cirovski said. “So we hope to cut out some of the mistakes that led to not getting results. We’re better now than we were earlier in the year in terms of being able to deal with some situations.”
That growth has been evident of late. The Terps are one of the hottest teams in the country, winning their last two games over ACC opponents N.C. State and Virginia by a combined 9-1.
On Senior Night last Saturday, the Terps won a statement game over the Cavaliers, the pinnacle victory of the season thus far. But the Terps know they cannot look past a struggling Tar Heel team clinging to postseason aspirations.
“This is a very hungry Carolina team. They’re in a very desperate situation,” Cirovski said. “It’s Senior Night, so it will be a very emotional time for them. … I think they’re an extremely talented team that’s maybe been a little snake-bit.”
The Terps have been there before this season. Now they head back to the road after righting their ship. And the last place they want to go is back.
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