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Photo Credit: Ian Neadle
The Terps finished their last season in the ACC at 13-4 which is not a bad record in such a power house conference. This year they are in a newly formed BIG10 Conference with still a lot of big name schools and some up and comers. Sure they will still have their huge rivalry game against the always tough Johns Hopkins Blue Jays but they will also have to contend with teams such as Ohio State and Penn State. This season should be a challenge with a few key players missing from last year. Sure your going to lose a few guys every year that graduate and Coach Tillman seems very confident that they can plug a new player in to their offensive and defensive system and have success.
Goalie
With Niko Amato graduating it leaves you wondering who will step up between the pipes and take charge? Coach Tillman stated in their Media day that both goalies have stepped up from the fall. At this point Coach Tillman said its still a two man race between Senior Kyle Bernlohr and Sophomore Dan Morris. He did mention that Bernlohr has the slight advantage but Morris is there is he should falter.
Defense
Maryland is well known for always having a strong defense on the field and this year that could be challenged with a few key players graduating. Trying to fill in for Michael Ehrhardt and Brian Cooper as well as a few others will be a point of emphasis. Also not having Goran Murray because of eligibility issues leaves the Terps D looking a little rough. But Coach Tillman said that having key players such as Junior Matt Dunn who had 17 GB’s last year and helped hold the eventual champ Duke Blue Devils scoreless for 26 mins will be a key to their success. Also Senior Captain Casey Ikeda who finished with 29 GB’s in 2014 should be ready to lead this group to a strong finish.
Offense
This is where the Terps really are going to need their players to step in to the offensive system and execute. Having Mike Chanenchuk graduate and Sophomore Connor Cannizzaro transfer to Denver who combined for 62 goals not there will surely make you wonder who can and will step up. They did get a great transfer from Syracuse in Dylan Maltz who Coach Tillman said was doing a great job learning the UMD schemes and strategies. Having senior leader ship at Attack from Jay Carlson who had 31 points in 2014 and Midfielder Joe Locasio who had 25 points should have a big impact again this season on the scoreboard. Sophomore Matt Rambo who did not play in the fall due to some legal allegations is still on the roster and Coach Tillman said will be back on the field at some point hopefully soon. Rambo had and incredible freshman year with 30 goals and 6 assist. His presence will be missed for sure. At the face off X senior Captain Charlie Raffa will look to dominate again. When asked how the new rules will effect his approach he said ” It won’t affect me too much because in my freshman and sophomore years I didn’t really carry it in the back of my stick”. Raffa had some injury issues near the end of the season last year so if can stay healthy he should be back to his old form.
Schedule
Towson (Scrimmage) 2/4/15 4:00pm at Towson
Cornell (Scrimmage) 2/7/15 1:00pm College Park MD
Navy 2/14/15 12:00pm at Navy
Yale 2/21/15 TBA at Yale
Penn 2/24/15 5:00pm College Park MD
Drexel 2/28/15 12:00pm College Park MD
Princeton 3/7/15 12:00pm College Park MD
Villanova 3/14/15 1:00pm at Villanova
UNC 3/21/15 10:00pm Santa Ana, CA
Robert Morris 3/24/15 4:00pm at Robert Morris
Michigan (BIG10) 3/29/15 TBA College Park MD
Penn State (BIG10) 4/4/15 12:00pm College Park MD
Loyola 4/8/15 8:00pm College Park MD
Rutgers (BIG10) 4/12/15 TBA at Rutgers
Ohio State (BIG10) 4/18/15 11:00am at Ohio State
Johns Hopkins (BIG10) 4/26/15 TBA College Park MD
BIG10 Semifinals 4/30/15 TBA College Park MD
BIG10 Championship 5/2/15 TBA College Park MD
