No. 14 Indiana men’s soccer still has three games left in its conference slate. But no match feels bigger than its next — No. 4 Maryland.
The Terrapins ride a three-game winning streak. They are second in the Big Ten with 17 points and have yet to lose this season.
It’s unlike any matchup the Hoosiers have had this year since the season opener against Clemson University on Aug. 21, as they will be ranked lower than their opponent in the polls.
It led to a 2-2 draw with the Tigers; given the state of the season, Indiana will likely want more from the result against Maryland.
Kickoff between the two storied programs is set for 8 p.m. Friday at Ludwig Field in College Park, Maryland.
Serious implications
Indiana began its Big Ten season with two wins and three losses, a stark contrast from its previous record of 5-0-1. But after four straight victories, two of which were against conference opponents, the Hoosiers are turning hot with the regular season winding down.
A third-straight Big Ten regular season championship is unlikely. Indiana is fourth in the standings, six points behind first-place Washington. Given the Hoosiers already played the Huskies in a 3-0 defeat in Seattle, it will be challenging to gain ground.
Which makes Friday’s game that much more important. Indiana is five points behind Maryland, and a win moves the difference to two. The Terrapins and Huskies still face each other Oct. 31, so either team at the top of the conference standings will inevitably drop points.
At the baseline, a top four finish is necessary for Indiana to compete in the new four-team Big Ten Tournament format. Quality wins will be abundant with a probable rematch against either Maryland or Washington, as well as a possible second Big Ten Tournament championship in the past three seasons. Yet finishing the regular season one game at a time is all that matters to Indiana.
On the flip side, Maryland has control of its own destiny to win the Big Ten regular season title, its first since 2022. Wins over Indiana and Washington likely seal the silverware, but neither of those feats are small tasks.
Ault impresses
Palmer Ault is a MAC Hermann trophy contender with an inclusion on the midseason watch list. Since the announcement Oct. 14, the senior forward has five goals and three assists.
Ault has tallied 14 goals and eight assists this season, which are second and sixth in the country, respectively. His 22 total goal contributions are first in the nation.
Indiana is 9-0-1 when Ault scores or assists. Whether Maryland neutralizes the Hoosiers’ star man will likely determine the result.
But given Ault’s recent success, it won’t be easy to do.
Meet the Terrapins
Maryland finished last in the Big Ten two seasons ago, failing to secure a conference victory and only winning four of its 15 total games.
Two years later, things look a lot different in College Park.
The Terrapins are undefeated through 12 matches. Upcoming contests against Indiana and Washington dictate whether they win the Big Ten regular season title or fall short, just as they did a season ago to Ohio State and the Hoosiers.
Maryland has scored in every game but one this season. Fifteen different Terrapins have registered a goal, with sophomore forward Stephane Njike and senior forward Sadam Masereka each contributing five.
The Terrapins are just as strong in defense, conceding only seven goals so far in this campaign. Sophomore goalkeeper Laurin Mack is second in the Big Ten with 42 saves, and his four straight clean sheets is a mark no Maryland goalkeeper has reached in six seasons.
Given Indiana’s offensive firepower — eight goals in its last two Big Ten games — either the Hoosiers' attack will continue scoring or the Terrapins’ formidable defense will stand firm.
Kickoff between Indiana and Maryland is 8 p.m. Friday at Ludwig Field in College Park, Maryland, with coverage available on the Big Ten Network.
Follow reporters Elakai Anela (@elakai_anela and eanela@iu.edu) and Mateo Fuentes-Rohwer (@mateo_frohwer and matfuent@iu.edu) for updates throughout the Indiana men's soccer season.
