Daniel Cepero, unquestionably has been the one player who has pushed the Penn men's soccer team to the No. 14 spot in the latest NCSAA/Adidas national rankings.
Cepero has stood between the posts during each of the 946 minutes the Quakers have played this season. Not only has he been there, but he has done well. The sophomore has posted the 24th-best goals-against average among Division I goalies, 0.761, and, along with his teammates, has compiled the nation's 21st- ranked defense.
No. 25 Maryland, which will face off against Penn at 2 p.m. at Rhodes Field today, tends to take a little different approach to the game.
The Terrapins (8-4-1, 2-2-1 ACC) have two of the nation's most potent offensive weapons in Abe Thompson and Jason Garey, who have combined for 21 goals and 13 assists.
The entire Penn team has totaled only 16 goals and 14 assists, while managing to give up only eight goals and seven assists.
On paper, the game between the Terrapins and the Quakers (6-2-2, 2-0-1 Ivy) seems like a simple matchup of defense versus offense -- Maryland is ranked second in the country in points per game. However, the Quakers and Terrapins play a similar style and because of the talent on both sides of the ball, neither Penn nor Maryland will be forced to pull its defense back as less talented teams are often forced to do.
"In a game where both teams are looking to play fast-paced offensive soccer, it becomes very exciting to watch," Penn senior defender Erik Violante said. "It's just going to be a game where momentum keeps on switching with whoever has the ball."
While on the attack, Penn will try to wear down the Maryland defense by playing the indirect possession-styled offense that has been so successful for the Quakers this season. On defense, Penn will look to give the speedy Maryland attackers as little time and space as possible -- the Quakers are fully aware of the Terrapins' ability to do a lot of damage.
The Red and Blue will also be looking for a little payback after falling to the Terrapins, 2-1, in College Park, Md., last October.
Penn played Maryland evenly in the first half of that game, and the Red and Blue managed to take a 1-0 lead into the locker room. Things fell apart for the Quakers in the second frame, however, as the Terrapins put the ball past Penn goalie Matt Haefner just 79 seconds into the period. Maryland outplayed the Quakers the rest of the way and would earn a 2-1 victory.
Penn senior Erik Hallenbeck noted that one large distraction the Quakers will not have to worry about this year is the hordes of screaming fans that have become commonplace at Maryland's Ludwig Field. Through seven home games, Maryland is averaging 2,065 fans.
The team knows that Maryland underestimated them last year and understands that they will be better prepared when the teams run onto Rhodes Field today. But Violante is confident that Penn has also improved.
"We've matured a little bit more," the defender said. "If we get the lead, we'll hopefully be able to keep it."
The Terrapins will also serve as a measuring stick for the Quakers. A win would go a long way in helping to secure an NCAA Tournament berth if the Red and Blue fail to win the Ivy League championship. A good result would also give the Quakers a mental edge as they enter the home stretch of their season.
