Terps Drop Fourth Game Of The Season At Home To Georgetown

By Sebastian Obando

The ball slowly nudged past goalkeeper Zach Steffen and rolled towards the bottom right corner of the net. As the ball crossed the painted white line in between the goal posts, a collective silence swept over the fans at Ludwig field. The only sounds made were those of the Georgetown bench roaring in celebration. The goal put them up 1-0 with only 12 minutes remaining.

“After they scored, we tried to get each other fired up” Steffen said after the game. “We try to get each other mad, so we can get aggressive as a team.”

Through the leadership of Steffen, the Terps immediately attempted to rally with many desperate long balls launched into the Georgetown penalty area. However, these efforts ultimately did not stir any problems for the stout Hoya defense as their back-line left the Terps empty handed at the final-whistle, the fourth time this year that head coach Sasho Cirovski’s men have been held scoreless.

Georgetown's one goal on Zack Steffen would prove to be enough to push past the Terps on Tuesday night. (Courtesy of UMTerps.com) — Georgetown’s one goal on Zack Steffen would prove to be enough to push past the Terps on Tuesday night. (Courtesy of UMTerps.com)

“This was an important game for us to get a result and we just didn’t have enough quality in the attack to get one behind a very good defense,” Cirovski dejectedly said. “At some point our guys are going to have to raise the level and show they understand what it means to put on a Maryland jersey.”

Lack of clinical finishing up front has been the main issue for Maryland all season long. Only two of the nine goals scored this year have come off a forward’s foot. Against Georgetown, the team only managed to achieve two shots on target.

“We’re just not good enough. Unfortunately that’s our reality right now,” Cirovski said. “I have to look and maybe even make some more changes and make some more tweaks because we’re just not good enough against good teams to score goals.”

Heading into the game, Maryland boasted a 28-1 all-time record versus Georgetown, the one loss coming in the 2012 College Cup semifinal after a thrilling 4-4 goal fest was decided on penalties. Now, Georgetown managed to deal another blow to Maryland, as they drop the Terps to a 3-4-1 record on the season.

The loss snaps a two-game winning streak for Maryland, who will look to rebound Sunday afternoon in an away contest versus Northwestern.

For more updates on Maryland soccer, follow Seba Obando @Sgo96