Season Thus Far: Maryland

Maryland (7-3)
Highlights
* Freshman Grant Catalino scores four goals in the opener, the most by a UMd. freshman in an opener since 1988.
* 13-7 win over then-No. 1 Virginia was broadcast on ESPN2

MVP
MF Jeff Reynolds, junior
14 goals and 28 groundballs are not a bad return for someone who missed last year with a knee injury. Plays defensive midfield and as a wing on faceoffs, too. Though his penchant for shooting low will have been discovered by now. Does he need a Plan B?

Keep an eye on: Senior D Joe Cinosky . The only starter back on close defense, he has 20 caused turnovers and 27 groundballs. Has not been as conspicuous because Maryland has used a zone often this year, but won his matchups against Navy, especially in the second half.

Projected NCAA tournament seed: 6
Directions to Foxborough: Tough to call with freshman A Travis Reed (18 goals, 5 assists) out indefinitely. With Reed, the pieces are in place. Maryland is tough to prepare for and now is when it starts to alter its EMO packages, to great affect. But the domino effect personnel-wise without Reed is very noticeable. It has upset an almost perfectly-balanced team. Like most teams, Maryland does not match up well against Duke. Also think they want to avoid teams with great short-stick defenders and faceoff units. Somehow I see Notre Dame in their future.

By Christian Swezey |  April 7, 2008; 4:16 PM ET  | Category:  Maryland
Previous: Season Thus Far: Virginia | Next: Season Thurs Far: Johns Hopkins

Name:

Comments: