In Sasho Cirovski’s 23 years as the Maryland men’s soccer coach, he’s noticed defense is the most important unit to winning in the postseason. Right now, it’s the Terps’ biggest weakness.
Despite the offense recording the second most goals in the country (45), the Terps have surrendered 10 goals in the past six contests. Maryland battled some key injuries on the backline during that span, but now with their squad healthy, the No. 1-seed Terps (16-0-2) want to clamp down defensively when they play No. 4-seed Michigan State (13-4-1) in the Big Ten Tournament semifinals on Friday in Westerfield, Indiana.
“History shows you that as you get into the playoffs, the teams that are stingier on the defensive side of the ball advance the furthest,” Cirovski said. “In most of our successes and in the postseason, it’s always been a foothold in the defensive part of the game.”
Entering their match against Wisconsin on Oct. 14, the Terps recorded a five-game shutout streak. But that’s when Cirovski said the team lost a little of its “defensive identity.”
Maryland’s problems defending counter attacks at the beginning of the season resurfaced. The Terps had trouble guarding on set pieces, and they also made small mistakes, such as failing to clear the ball and not closing out on defenders entering the box.
The Terps haven’t had all of their starters every game. Defender Alex Crognale sat out two contests with minor injuries, while defender Chris Odoi-Atsem missed a match with a concussion. Cirovski has also rotated between defenders Andrew Samuels and Donovan Pines at the final backline position while each has struggled at times without usual starting left back Diego Silva healthy.
The Terps now have all their starters healthy with the exception of Silva, who hasn’t started since Sept. 18.
“Getting everyone back and healthy is going to be important for us making a run,” Crognale said.
Other mistakes have come from those who typically play farther up the field. Cirovski has been upset with some of his attacking players’ intensity, and sometimes their lack of energy has played a part in the goals the team has given up.
Cirovski said the team takes part in intense defensive drills throughout the year. When the Terps were struggling earlier in the year, they partook in what they call “defensive sessions,” which start with basic 1-on-1 defending and continue to add players until a full scrimmage breaks out. Forward Gordon Wild said Maryland has also watched a lot of film this week, emphasizing its defensive play.
“We just need to make sure we track back,” forward DJ Reeves said. “A lot of the times the midfield gets overloaded because the opposing team tries to bring their wingbacks forward. We can help by tracking back and guarding the holding mid or maybe one of the backs because our midfielders can’t defend them all.”
Cirovski said having three senior starters on the backline, as well as senior goalkeeper Cody Niedermeier, is beneficial. When the Terps last won the NCAA Championship in 2008, they gave up one goal in five confirmed playoff games.
Maryland already allowed two goals to Michigan Sunday, but Cirovski hopes his team shows flashes of the 2008 squad this weekend. He knows they’ll need to do so for the squad to win its fifth consecutive conference tournament championship.
“We need to do a better job of making other teams uncomfortable with the ball,” Cirovski said. “We have to stop being so generous with the goals we’re giving up. We expect to win the Big Ten Championship. We know what it takes.”
