MM 12.4: Maryland men’s soccer adds multiple players to 2020 Roster

A little over a week since his squad fell to Wake Forest in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, Maryland men’s soccer head coach Sasho Cirovski announced the addition of three players to next year’s team.

Midfielders Joe Suchecki and Ben Bender, along with and goalkeeper Jamie Lowell, will join the Terps for the 2020 campaign, following the departure of seniors Eli Crognale, Johannes Bergmann, Mike Heitzmann and Luke Brown.

”They have all excelled for three of the top USSDA teams over the past several years,” Cirovski said. “They are all of the highest character, have an insatiable desire to excel and bring with them a soccer skill set that will allow them to succeed individually as well as add great value to our program.”

Bender, a Baltimore-native, comes to College Park following a prolific career as a four-year starter at Calvert Hall, in which he was named an All State All-American and a Top Drawer Soccer State Star. His addition also makes five Terps that hail from Baltimore, joining sophomore Brett St. Martin and freshmen Isaac Ngobu, Justin Harris and Nick Richardson.

“Ben is a sublimely skillful attacking player who can play in both wide areas as well as centrally,” Cirovski said. “He has the ability to unbalance teams through his dribbling and his passing which allows him to be both a creator and a finisher.”

Suchecki suited up for New York City FC Academy previously, notching 23 goals in 67 appearances with the U-16/17 and U-18/19 teams. He helped the U-19 team win the US Soccer Development Academy National Championship, and adds to an already deep well of midfielders at Cirovski’s disposal.

“Joe is a very powerful and skillful soccer player,” Cirovski said. “As a box-to-box midfielder, he can play the role of destroyer as well as playmaker. He has a gifted left foot with a wide range of passing and finishing capacity.”

Lowell is another MLS academy pick-up, spending the previous few years with Seattle Sounders FC’s Academy team while making a pair of appearances for the Tacoma Defiance of the USL Championship.

Barring any further departures/additions, Lowell becomes the fifth keeper slated to be on the 2020 Terps, with goalkeeper Niklas Neumann set to likely start in net after earning All-Big Ten Second Team honors his freshman season.

”Jamie has a commanding presence on the field,” Cirovski said. “He is a confident communicator and a very good distributor of the ball with both his feet and his hands.”

In other news

Maryland men’s basketball faces off against Notre Dame on Wednesday night as part of the Big Ten/ACC Challenge. Check out a preview for that one here.

Darnell Savage and D.J. Moore each had solid weeks for their respective NFL teams, which Jordan highlighted in this week’s Terps in the NFL.

Who’s eligible to preserve a year of eligibility following the 2019 football season? Check out our redshirt tracker to find out.

Maryland football running back Anthony McFarland Jr. declared for the 2020 NFL Draft on Tuesday.

Fellow Maryland running back Javon Leake was named the Big Ten Return Specialist of the Year and selected to the All-Big Ten First Team Tuesday. Four other Terps received defensive honors as well.

Maryland basketball dropped a hype video highlighting its championship weekend in Orlando this past weekend.

The team also released a promo for its game against Notre Dame tonight.

Maryland women’s basketball forward Stephanie Jones moved to No. 3 all-time in career field goal percentage at Maryland.

Maryland lacrosse is still a ways away from the start of the 2020 season, but the Terps are already getting ready for the upcoming campaign.

Maryland women’s lacrosse announced its 2020 schedule.

Maryland softball is lending its hand to help teach and improve young softball players.