The Duke men's soccer team (3-2) begins ACC play this Saturday, as it welcomes 12th ranked Maryland (3-2) into Koskinen Stadium for a 1 p.m. game.
The Terps will be out for revenge after last year's two losses at the hands of the Blue Devils. Unfortunately for Duke, many of the players who led the team to those victories have graduated, while Maryland has regained several key players who were out with injuries during its disappointing 2000 season.
"We're a very different team than last year. They're a very different team than last year," Duke coach John Rennie said. "They'll be definitely the best team we've faced."
Though the teams have changed, Duke's players aren't about to use their inexperience as an excuse.
"I'm over with that whole new faces excuse," said sophomore forward Jordan Cila, Duke's leading scorer. "We've been playing together for over a month now and we know each other now. That excuse is over with."
Senior captain Kevin Sakuda agrees with his teammate's assessment.
"We've definitely improved a lot as a team," Sakuda said. "Team chemistry is real good.... I think our play has come a long way since the beginning."
The Blue Devils can only hope the same is not true for Maryland, as it adjusts to several returning players, including Sumed Ibrahim. Ibrahim missed last year due to injury, but is leading the team in scoring so far this year, including a hat trick against American University.
"He's their best player," Rennie said. "[Ibrahim is] a very, very talented player."
Sakuda, who will likely have the pleasure of guarding Ibrahim, remains unfazed.
"I try not to concentrate too much on certain players [on opposing teams]," Sakuda said. "I don't think as much about opponents as ourselves, making sure we're all on the same page."
Duke will also have its hands full with Maryland's defense, which features All-American senior Beckett Hollenbach, and sophomore Philip Salyer, who has experience on the U.S. under-20 national team. Cracking this defense is Cila's job, but he, too, is undaunted by the challenge.
"As a forward, you can't worry about who's going to mark you because it's out of your control," Cila said. "Whoever is on me, I'm not going to be intimidated in any way."
Such bravado typifies the excitement on the Duke squad. While the Blue Devils may not be the favorites, they are more than eager to get the ACC season underway and test their mettle against an extremely talented Maryland team.
"We're ready to play a nationally-ranked team," Rennie said. "We're ready to find out how good we are... and how well we can compete against the top teams in the country."
On Saturday, the Blue Devils will find out if they are up to the challenge.
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