Maryland men’s soccer vs. UMBC preview

The Terps look to jump-start the season with a win.

Fresh off a disappointing 2023 season, Maryland men’s soccer is gearing up for what it hopes will be an improved 2024.

The Terps, who fielded a young squad in 2023, have gained a year of experience and made some recruiting and transfer additions in an effort to reload the roster.

Their season begins Thursday at 7 p.m. with a road test against in-state opponent UMBC.

UMBC Retrievers (0-0, 0-0 America East)

2023 Record: 7-4-5, 3-1-3 America East

Head Coach Anthony Adams had a successful opening season at UMBC, leading the team to a winning record in both conference and nonconference play. The Retrievers had a less successful postseason, though, getting bounced in the first round of the America East tournament by Binghamton.

Players to watch

Alek Wroblewski, graduate forward, No. 27 — None of UMBC’s returning players scored more goals in 2023 than Wroblewski, who found the net six times and assisted on two more. He made the America East All-Conference second team in 2022 and the Northeast Conference All-Rookie team at Mount St. Marys in 2021.

Lasse Kelp, junior defender, No. 21 — Kelp will wear the captain’s armband for the Retrievers in 2024 after two standout seasons as a defender. Last season, he earned an America East first-team nod. Kelp should be the anchor of the Retrievers’ back line this season.

Jago Lott, senior midfielder, No. 30 — Lott is another one of the Retrievers’ captains playing in central midfield. The senior made 16 starts in 2023, tallying three assists.

Strength

Defense. UMBC returns the majority of the key members of its defense, including Kelp at centerback and team captain Hans Nesheim at wing back. It also returns goalie Emigdio Tormo Lopez, who took over the starting job last year. The Retrievers finished last season strong defensively, allowing just a goal per game over the team’s last four games.

Weakness

Attack. Despite bringing back their second-leading goal scorer in Wroblewski, UMBC will be forced to replace its most effective offensive player in Taylor Calheira. Calheira will leave a big hole coming off a season in which he netted 10 goals. It’s unclear where that production will come from now.

The Retrievers’ offense struggled to close out 2023 as well, getting shut out in two of their final three games.

Three things to watch

1. Which new players will make an instant impact? Cirovski brought in a variety of transfers and freshmen to help the Terps rebound from 2023. The UMBC contest could serve as a trial to see who is poised to become an impactful player in 2024.

2. Development of young talent. Some young players like Luke Van Heukelum, Colin Griffith and Kenny Quist-Therson showed flashes of potential in 2023, but lacked the consistency Maryland needed. This season will give many of them an opportunity to take on a larger role and prove themselves as star players.

3. Battle of the brothers. Quist-Therson’s development won’t be the only reason to pay attention to him against the Retrievers; his older brother Karl is a midfielder at UMBC. The matchup gives the two of them an opportunity to collide in the center of the pitch and earn some family bragging rights.

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