Terps trying to get offense going in time for Loyola

Kevin Tangney probably would have liked to see a seed next to the Terrapin men’s soccer team’s name in the NCAA Tournament bracket when it was unveiled Monday. But in what was perhaps only the latest chapter of the Terps’ misfortune this season, the senior defender instead saw the Terps slotted for a first-round game for the first time since 2001.

Tangney was surprised but far from saddened by the bracket, which paired the Terps with Loyola (Md.) for an opening-round intrastate showdown tonight. The Greyhounds probably weren’t expecting to open their tournament slate at Ludwig Field tonight, either.

“I think other teams are more upset than we are that we’re not seeded,” Tangney said. “They have to face us earlier.”

Even if it is a few days earlier than most expected, the Terps (12-5-2) will begin their title defense in earnest today after having already started and finished the first stage of postseason play — last week’s ACC Tournament — within a two-hour span.

And while the Terps’ 1-0 loss in the first round in Cary, N.C., to eventual champion Virginia last Wednesday ended their hopes of an ACC Tournament title defense, the early exit may eventually prove to go a long way in the team’s showing on college soccer’s biggest stage.

Instead of playing what could have been two more games in the next four days, the banged-up Terps packed their bags and began to lick their wounds. Now, some Terps say the team’s anemic offense appears set to look like to its early-season self.

“We’re looking good,” midfielder Drew Yates said. “It kind of feels like it did at the beginning of the year, when we were fresh and we were moving all over the place. It’s starting to feel good again.”

It’s the type of return to form expected with the possible revitalization of forward Casey Townsend, who helped engineer a Terp attack that scored 13 goals in its first six games. Since he went down in the team’s seventh match, the Terps have only managed to notch the same number of goals in 12 games. 

Loyola (11-7-3) probably won’t be the slump buster the Terp offense needs. The Greyhounds punched their third straight ticket to the NCAA Tournament after blanking Fairfield and then Niagara in the MAAC Tournament and have allowed only 19 goals in 21 games this season.

“We had a feeling we’d see them. I think they had a feeling they’d see us,” coach Sasho Cirovski said. “They’ll be a good challenge.”

A win tonight would be the first of six straight the Terps will need to repeat as champions — one more win than what was needed last year. Still, at this point in the season, Tangney said it’s about quality, not quantity.

“As long as we do what need to do, I think we’ll be okay,” he said. “No matter if we’re seeded or not seeded.”

TERP NOTES: Student admission to the match, which kicks off at 7 p.m., will take more than just a student ID tonight. Because it’s an NCAA Tournament game, student tickets will cost $5 with an accompanying student ID.

Midfielder Doug Rodkey, who had been confined to crutches and a leg brace since suffering a leg injury in late September, was up and running laps during Wednesday’s practice, but Cirovski said the senior still isn’t ready for game action.

shaffer@umdbk.com