After weeks of teetering on the outskirts of the United Soccer Coaches poll, No. 23 Maryland men’s soccer (5-0-2) finally has a national ranking. The Terps are off to their best start in eight years, and have
a quality win over then-No. 25 Georgetown on their resume.
But Tuesday’s Big Ten clash against Penn State proved to be the team’s biggest challenge thus far. Entering with a four-game winning streak and a disappointing tie against No. 24 Bucknell as the only blemish on its record, Maryland’s road struggles against the Nittany Lions continued.
While the Terps were clearly the better side for the majority of the night, time-and-time again Big Ten soccer has proven that anything can happen. Stephane Njike’s 73rd-minute red card didn’t help the Terps assert themselves.
Despite Penn State taking a one-goal lead in the 84th minute, the Terps manufactured an equalizer off a brilliantly struck free kick from Lasse Kelp, escaping Happy Valley with a 2-2 tie.
Maryland doesn’t have much time to recover after the grueling stalemate. The Terps are back in action at Ludwig Field on Friday for another daunting test against Northwestern. The contest begins at 7 p.m. and will air on Big Ten Plus.
Northwestern Wildcats (5-2-1, 1-1-0 Big Ten)
2024 record: 9-7-1, 3-6-1 Big Ten
Northwestern may not have much recent success in postseason play, but it has continued to produce talent under head coach Russell Payne. A three-year goalkeeper coach for the United States men’s national team, Payne has experience working with high-quality talent, and it’s translated to college soccer. However, with Payne now in his fifth season at the helm, the Wildcats are still aiming for their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2014.
After a 10-win season in 2023, Northwestern cruised through its nonconference slate last year with only a loss to then-No. 4 Western Michigan. However, Big Ten play remained its kryptonite. A four-game losing streak dampened the Wildcats’ hopes of a conference tournament berth. While it tallied three late wins, Northwestern missed out on the tournament by one point.
The Wildcats’ nonconference strength of schedule may not suggest much about the quality of this year’s team. Outside of a one-goal defeat to unbeaten UIC and a tie with Loyola Chicago, Northwestern won its four nonconference games by a combined five goals. The Wildcats lost their Big Ten opener to UCLA before defeating Rutgers on Friday.
Players to watch
Joe Suchecki, graduate student midfielder, No. 8 — Suchecki spent his first four seasons in College Park, totalling 24 starts, three goals and an assist. But the New York City FC academy product elected to hit the transfer portal after the 2023 season. After a strong first year with Northwestern, Suchecki is having a breakout 2025 campaign, with a team-high four goals and two assists.
Nigel Prince, senior defender, No. 12 — The four-star class of 2022 prospect has certainly lived up to his billing. Prince has logged nearly 5,000 career minutes as a key cog in the heart of Northwestern’s backline, and he has All-Big Ten first- and second-team accolades to show for it. He has played every minute this year and netted a pair of aerial goals.
Aaron O’Reilly, freshman forward, No. 18 — A homegrown product, O’Reilly is having one of the best freshmen campaigns in the nation. After dishing out an assist in his collegiate opener, the Naperville, Illinois, resident has caught fire. He quickly became a regular starter and has been dangerous in the attack with a pair of goals and assists, including the game-winner against Air Force.
Strengths
Close games. The Wildcats may not have an overpowering offense or defense, but they have a knack to eke out results in tight games. Every game Northwestern has played in this season — besides a 2-0 win over Eastern Illinois — has been decided by one goal or less. The Wildcats have come away with four victories, two losses and a tie in such games.
Weakness
Discipline. Committing 82 fouls over eight games, Northwestern has been one of the more undisciplined teams in the Big Ten. The Wildcats have the third-most yellow cards in the conference (17) and received a pair of red cards in the final three minutes of their last game against Rutgers. Northwestern held on for the win, but those players will miss Friday’s game.
Three things to watch
1. Who replaces Njike on the wing? After being issued a red card in Maryland’s last game, Njike will be suspended for Friday’s contest. The sophomore has wreaked havoc on the left flank, totalling three goals and two assists. Rocket Ritarita is a likely candidate to start wide, with Luke van Heukelum returning to his center forward duties.
2. Home-field success. The Terps have always done a good job protecting home turf over head coach Sasho Cirovski’s lengthy tenure in College Park. They have three wins and a tie at Ludwig Field this season. After taking four points in their two road games to start Big Ten play, Maryland will aim to secure another win in front of its rowdy home crowd.
3. Joseph Umberto Picotto’s return. The UMBC transfer started Maryland’s first two games of the season before being hospitalized with an illness. While it took him some time to work his way back in the fold, Umberto Picotto’s presence back in the middle of the park will add to the Terps’ depth. He logged seven minutes against Penn State.
