#6 Maryland 6-3 (1-1) vs Ohio State 6-5 (1-1)Where: SECU Stadium When: Saturday April 6th, 12 PM EST TV: BTN+ Spread: Maryland -4, O/U: 22 (DraftKings) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDRL8RNSGrA After avoiding their first three-game losing streak since 2009 thanks to their 13-11 comeback win over Penn State, Maryland is back at home for the first of two inside SECU Stadium as they host Ohio State on Saturday afternoon. The Buckeyes have struggled offensively this season and enter Saturday averaging just 10.9 goals per game, unable to replace the production they lost from last season in Jack Meyers. Still, there's balance to the attack with four players entering the matchup with 20 points or more: Alex Marinier, Ben Mayer, Ed Shean, and Gannon Matthews. Marinier leads the Buckeyes in goals (22), adding an assist to his name as well. However, Shean is the Buckeyes' main facilitator on the offense and leads the team in assists (ten) while adding 12 goals to his name. Marinier is a midfielder and will come out of the substitution box for Ohio State to try and get a favorable matchup. Look for Marinier to try and get himself matched up with a short-stick defensive midfielder for the Terps most of the game, which has proven to be a weakness for Maryland's defense all season long. Shean is the Buckeyes' quarterback on offense as he'll look to operate from behind the goal to either dodge and get an open shot or dodge and cause a slide to set up an open teammate. Like the Terps offense as well, Ohio State is a team that turns the ball over a lot. The Buckeyes are turning it over on average 16.5 times per game. Look for Maryland's defense to be more aggressive than usual and try to cause turnovers to give the offense extra possessions. While the Buckeyes have not been great on offense, they've been stout defensively. The Buckeyes, however, will be without their best long pole defender in Bobby Van Buren who has been out of the lineup since March 2nd due to injury. Since Van Buren’s injury, Marcus Hudgins and Cullen Brown have stepped up in his absence. Hudgins leads the team with 16 caused turnovers while Brown is second on the team with 12. The Buckeyes defense leads the Big Ten in goals allowed (9.5) with freshman goalie Caleb Fyock in net, saving shots at a 54% rate so far this season. Fyock might not have the usual stature of a normal goalie being 6-foot-2, 297 pounds, but he has lightning-quick reflexes and is very flexible for his size which helps him save shots at a very high rate. Teams turn the ball over on average 15.3 times a game, which is a very high rate. The Terps offense will need to build off of their performance last week and play an even cleaner game this week if they want to pull out the win without it being a very close game. Prediction: Maryland, 11-9 If the offense can play a clean game, Maryland should have no problem winning the game. But, if there is one team that no matter how good or bad they are they always play the Terps tough, it is Ohio State. Terps head coach John Tillman is 9-3 versus the Buckeyes including a five-game winning streak thanks to Maryland's five-goal comeback overtime win over the Buckeyes last season in Columbus. While the matchup may provide some extra flair given recent history, both teams similar roster and play styles on the field. Expect a physical game--and turnovers, which have been a consistent problem for the Terps' this season. This matchup is of two teams that have similarly built rosters and have the same play styles on both sides of the field. There will be a lot of physical defense and it will cause many turnovers. The team that turns it over less will likely win the game. I like the Terps chances to pull out the win but I think it will be closer than most think. I believe the Terps will win thanks to a stellar game in goal from Logan McNaney and a four-point performance from Braden Erksa. The game is set to begin at noon and will be Maryland's final game on BTN+ this season. The Terps will look to avoid having a losing record in conference play for the second time this season. Related Links
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