2015 Big Ten Men’s Soccer Preview

 

2014 Big Ten Recap

Big Ten Tournament Champions: Maryland(m)

Offensive Player of the Year: Connor Maloney, Penn State(m)

Midfielder of the Year: Jay Chapman, Michigan State(m)

Defensive Player of the Year: Nikko Boxall, Northwestern(m)

Goalkeeper of the Year: Tyler Miller, Northwestern(m)

Freshman of the Year: Grant Lillard, Indiana(m)

Coach of the Year: John Bluem, Ohio State(m)

 

Team (overall, conference record)

 

Maryland(m) (13-6-3, 5-2-1)

The Terps ruled the Big Ten in 2014 and are the favorites to do it again in 2015. Midfielder MAel Corboz is back for his second season in College Park and one to watch in a standout group of midfielders. The Maryland freshman class is also exceptional. Left back Diego Silva will quickly improve the Maryland defense this fall. 

 

Northwestern(m) (9-4-6, 4-1-3)

Tyler Miller is gone along with seven other seniors from last year’s Northwestern squad. Replacing Miller in goal will be the most difficult task after the award-winning goalkeeper kept the Wildcats in a number of conference games last fall. Forward Joey Calistri, statistically, had his worst season in 2014. However, the talent is there for him to have a massive year in his final collegiate season this fall. 

 

Penn State(m) (13-6-1, 5-3)

The Nittany Lions were active in the offseason. Penn State added standout goalkeeper Matt Bersano to the roster after the Arizona-native started 54 games for Oregon State over the past three seasons. Penn State also picked up center back Robby Sagel after he started 36 games over the past two seasons with Temple. The additions offer experience and quality to the defense. If Connor Maloney continues to lead the attack, the Nittany Lions should be one of the favorites in the Big Ten this season. 

 

Ohio State(m) (9-8-5, 5-3)

Ohio State was one of the surprise teams in the conference last season. The Buckeyes came up just short of a shot at the regular season title, but showed a lot of promise from a relatively young group. Leading scorer Danny Jensen (six goals, one assist) is back for his junior campaign this fall. 

 

Michigan State(m) (12-5-6, 4-2-2)

Seniors Zach Bennett, Zach Carroll, and Jason Stacy make up the core of the Spartans squad, which is looking to make another run at the College Cup this season. The Spartans have a number of pieces to replace including Big Ten Midfielder of the Year Jay Chapman. Head coach Damon Rensing and his staff put together a strong recruiting class to help fill some of those gaps left from last season’s roster. 

 

Indiana(m) (12-5-5, 3-3-2)

Tanner Thompson leads an Indiana squad that won’t be satisfied with anything less than a national championship this fall. The Hoosiers will rely on returners Grant Lillard, Femi Hollinger-Janzen, and Thompson to get them to that point. Transfer Ben Maurey could be the missing piece to help along the way. The former All Ivy-League member was a significant addition to the team in the offseason. 

 

Michigan(m) (6-9-3, 3-3-2)

Chaka Daley enters his fourth season in charge of Michigan this fall. He enjoyed some success with the squad in 2014, but not the consistent success that has been expected since his arrival. This fall’s team is again full of promise. Freshman forward Francis Atuahene looks to be an immediate difference maker at the collegiate level. Seniors James Murphy and Colin McAtee will be counted on to keep the youthful bunch pointed in the right direction when the grind of league play starts up. 

 

Rutgers(m) (6-12-1, 1-6-1)

The talent is there for Rutgers to do something this fall, but that has been the case in the past as well. If the players click and Rutgers puts it together, the Scarlet Knights could be a dark horse in the Big Ten. Jason Wright is arguably the best forward in the conference and that can take this team a long way. 

 

Wisconsin(m) (3-12-3, 0-7-1)

The Badgers were a really young team in 2014. The inexperience hurt the boys from Madison. This fall should be different. Wisconsin returned the young standouts from last year’s team and added a few pieces. Midfielder Drew Conner, a Chicago Fire Homegrown prospect, is in his final collegiate season and could be one to watch.