By: Justin Fitzgerald
For much of Friday’s Big Ten opener, it looked like Maryland would be handed its first loss of the season. But after being stagnant on offense for much of the night, senior defender Alex Crognale scored in the 87th minute to tie the game, and the Terps were able to secure a 1-1 draw.
Indiana controlled possession for most of the first half, with Richard Ballard scoring for the Hoosiers in the seventh minute. Ballard’s goal came off a corner kick following a spectacular save from Cody Niedermeier on a shot from Tanner Thompson. Thompson’s shot came from close range on the left side, and Niedermeier blocked it with his foot before it traveled out of bounds.
The ensuing corner bounced around the box before Ballard took advantage of Niedermeier falling down and punched it in. Andrew Gutman had a chance to add to the Hoosiers lead in the 35th minute after getting the ball around Crognale, but his shot sailed right.
The Terps were only outshot 8-6 in the first half, but none of those shots were on goal. Gordon Wild had a great chance to score early, but put it wide of the net following a great pass from Sebastian Elney.
After Chris Odoi-Atsem missed a header in the 19th minute, Maryland did not have a shot for the next 20 minutes. They finally started to string a few passes together late in the first, their best chance coming in the 43rd minute when D.J. Reeves dribbled the ball to get around a few defenders but the shot was high.
Maryland came out attacking to start the second half, getting a corner in the 47th minute. Wild had another great chance in the 52nd minute, but his long range shot was saved by Colin Webb. But like the first half, the Terps went cold on offense.
Head coach Sasho Cirovski was desperate to find a solution, and began to empty the bench. With less than four minutes left, Cirovski pulled Niedermeier to get an extra player on the field. The Terps tied the game in the 87th minute, when Donovan Pines headed a ball to Alex Crognale, who whipped his right leg around his body for a shot that barely went past Webb.
Maryland outplayed Indiana in both periods of extra time, but couldn’t score. Wild had the best chance in the first overtime, but couldn’t square up on a ball crossed into the middle in the 98th minute. In the second overtime, Suli Dainkeh sent a cross that bounced around the box, but the Terps came up empty.
Maryland is now 3-0-2 and will continue Big Ten play when they travel to Rutgers on Tuesday. The game is scheduled for 7 p.m.
