After two relatively strong performances to start the season, Maryland men’s soccer’s attack was waiting for its breakout game.
On Labor Day, the Terps found it.
Maryland erupted for six goals, including five in the second half to fuel a dominant victory. That performance was a welcoming sign and the beginning of a weekend-long offensive onslaught. The Terps poured it on in their next game, with a four-goal output against Pacific, culminating their grand total to 10 goals in two games.
But Maryland
knows it should be more. The Terps generated 56 shot attempts against two inferior opponents and needed eight second-half goals to put both games out of reach. They’ll need to be more ruthless against quality opposition.
Coming off a three-game homestand, Maryland’s Big Ten journey starts on Friday with a dangerous Wisconsin team. That road game starts at 8 p.m. and will stream on Big Ten Plus.
Wisconsin Badgers (2-2, 0-0 Big Ten)
2024 record: 7-5-3, 2-5-3 Big Ten
Wisconsin has been knocking on the doorstep of the NCAA Tournament for years under head coach Neil Jones. His tenure has brought a level of consistency, but that mark has hovered right around .500. Now in his fourth year at the helm, the Badgers have produced a pair of six-win seasons and seven victories in 2024.
Last season was Wisconsin’s best chance at getting back to the tournament for the first time since 2017. The Badgers cruised through their five-game nonconference slate without a blemish, rising to No. 8 in the country for an extended period. But they ultimately crumbled down the stretch, gathering one win and four losses in its final seven games.
The optimism from early in that 2024 season has not been there for the Badgers this time around. With a pair of one-goal losses to North Florida and Portland and a narrow victory over Western Michigan, Wisconsin’s start to the season has been far from ideal. But they’ll have chances to pick up quality wins in Big Ten play.
Players to watch
Bart Muns, graduate student forward, No. 14 — Muns was one of the more sought out players in the transfer portal over the offseason, and the Dutchman decided to move further north. The two-time Missouri Valley All-Conference first-teamer at Illinois Chicago has certainly lived up to the billing. He has scored three of the Badgers’ five goals on just seven shots.
Matisse Hébert, sophomore goalkeeper, No. 1 — A product of CF Montréal’s youth team, Hébert’s first season of college soccer has gotten off to an impressive start. Wisconsin has relied on experienced international players to restock its roster, and Hébert has been a splashy addition. With just three goals allowed and 13 saves, he has kept the Badgers in close games.
Thomas Rainbault, senior forward, No. 20 — After spending his freshman campaign at UCLA, Rainbault’s decision to move to Madison has paid off. He has totalled 23 starts across his three seasons and was one of Wisconsin’s key returners. Rainbault has always been a threat in the attacking third with a pair of assists this season.
Strength
Shot stopping. The Badgers have had no business being in some of their games this season, but Hébert’s gloves have produced some magical saves. With the Canadian in goal, Wisconsin has held three of its opponents to just one goal and kept Western Michigan off the scoreboard. However, Maryland’s attack presents a much greater challenge.
Weakness
Finishing. The Badgers have shown promise in the final third, but they lack a killer instinct. Outside of Muns’ three-goal total, Wisconsin has scored twice on an abundance of chances created. The Badgers have produced 36 shots and fired 16 on frame, but don’t have much to show for. This has forced Wisconsin into several low-scoring games.
Three things to watch
1. Roles reversed. Maryland spoiled Wisconsin’s hot start to the year in 2024, dealing the Badgers their first loss and sparking their demise. The Terps’ unbeaten record is in jeopardy, with Wisconsin out for blood and looking to prove its quality. Maryland hasn’t won in Madison since 2017.
2. schedule notches back up. After throttling two weak mid-major opponents, the Terps’ schedule improves significantly. While fans didn’t learn much about the team over the last two games, conference games will present a much greater challenge. Nonconference records get tossed out the window in the highly-competitive Big Ten.
3. Is the offense legit? The Terps were expected to easily handle Saint Francis and Pacific, and they avoided those trap games in triumphant fashion. However, Wisconsin’s backline has proven it can slow down opposing attacks. Maryland will likely see less of the ball and have fewer chances to score, meaning it will need to be clinical when an opportunity presents itself.
