In November 2015, forward Sebastian Elney and midfielder Eryk Williamson powered the Maryland men’s soccer team’s attack as freshmen playing in their first postseason. But with three freshmen starting regularly, coach Sasho Cirovski recognized the Terps were inexperienced, one of the reasons they fell a few penalty kicks short of the final four.
Now, Maryland’s five starting sophomores know what to expect in the NCAA tournament.
When No. 1-seed Maryland (18-0-2) plays Providence in the second round of the NCAA tournament on Sunday evening at Ludwig Field, they’ll be more prepared than they were a year ago.
“With such a big class we had last year as freshmen, the experience they have, whether they’re on the field or not with the attitude they bring to it, it’s going to be very helpful,” goalkeeper Cody Niedermeier said. “We have a larger group that’s been through this before. Experience helps through every situation.”
Elney led Maryland with seven goals last season, while Williamson’s 17 points were the most on the squad. After failing to score through the first two months of last season, Williamson broke out, notching four of his six goals on the year in the postseason. Midfielder Amar Sejdic was the Terps’ other consistent freshman starter, while rookie defender Diego Silva started 11 matches.
Before the season, Cirovski commended the sophomores’ improvements. Plus, the veteran coach added sophomore forward Gordon Wild from South Carolina Upstate, whose 16 goals rank third in the nation. While Wild didn’t play in the NCAA tournament with the Spartans, he participated in the Atlantic Sun tournament, gaining experience in that event.
Some years in the past, the lack of a go-to scorer derailed Maryland. Cirovski said it’s a luxury to have one in Wild this year, as well as many other contributors.
“It’s a special time of the year,” Wild said. “You have to sort of get locked into your little zone. Focus on your game and focus on bringing your best performance each game in order to help the team getting the win.”
Of the sophomores, Sejdic has evolved into one of Maryland’s top contributors, recording 23 points, the second-most on the squad behind Wild (37). Williamson moved to the midfield to make room for Wild, and he’s recorded nine points at that position. While Elney’s production has decreased — he’s scored only three goals this season — sophomore forward DJ Reeves scored two goals in the Big Ten tournament.
The list of sophomore contributors goes on, from defender Andrew Samuels, who’s starting at left back, and midfielder Jorge Calix, who’s brought energy off the bench.
“We have experience all over the park,” defender Alex Crognale said. “I don’t think experience is an issue or an excuse. Maybe last year you could say it was. That’s not the case this year. Everyone is prepared and ready.”
While three seniors anchor Maryland’s backline, the Terps will rely on their sophomores to continue their offensive production — Maryland has scored the second-most goals per game in the nation (2.45).
So far, they’re off to a good start. Sophomores scored five of the Terps’ seven goals in the Big Ten tournament en route to the team winning its fifth consecutive conference tournament championship. The seventh goal was an own-goal, which Wild caused with a cross into the box.
Most of those sophomores suffered the heartbreak of losing to Clemson on penalty kicks in the NCAA tournament quarterfinals last year. Now, Wild said they know what it’ll take to come out victorious in tight contests.
“We’re all a brotherhood,” Sejdic said of the sophomores Sept. 5. “We know that we have to respect each other’s decisions. We keep competing and pushing each other to strive for greatness.”
