University of Maryland men’s soccer signs three class of 2020 recruits

COLLEGE PARK, Md. – University of Maryland men’s soccer head coach Sasho Cirovski has announced the addition of three new signees that will join the Terps for the 2020 season.

The Terps will add midfielder Ben Bender (Parkville, Md.), goalkeeper Jamie Lowell (Brentwood, N.H.) and Joe Suchecki. The three will compliment a squad that is projected to return nine of 11 starters next season.

“I am extremely excited to welcome Ben, Jamie and Joe to the Maryland Soccer family!” Cirovski said. “They have all excelled for three of the top USSDA teams over the past several years.  They are all of the highest character, have an insatiable desire to excel and bring with them a soccer skill set that will allow them to succeed individually as well as add great value to our program.”

More roster additions will be announced at a later date. Information on each signee can be found below.

Ben Bender | Midfielder | Parkville, Md. | Calvert Hall | Baltimore Armour

Before Maryland: Starred at Calvert Hall as a four-year starter under head coach Rich Zinkand…team captain…scored 15 goals in his senior season…named a 2019 Allstate All-American…named a Top Drawer Soccer State Star after his junior season…two-time All-MIAA selection…second-team Baltimore Sun All-Metro selection as a junior after scoring nine goals and six assists…helped Calvert Hall capture the MIAA A Conference Championship his freshman season….played club soccer for Baltimore Armour under coach Mike Lookingland…appeared 16 times for the U-16/17 team and scored five goals…scored six goals over 20 appearances for the U-18/19 squad…named the best XI at the 2017 Sarasota Showcase…won three consecutive state cups…made the honor roll at Calvert Hall…son of Mark and Belinda…has two brothers: Jacob and Josh.

Sasho on Ben: “Ben is a sublimely skillful attacking player who can play in both wide areas as well as centrally.  He has the ability to unbalance teams through his dribbling and his passing which allows him to be both a creator and a finisher.”

Jamie Lowell | Goalkeeper | Brentwood, N.H. | Seattle Sounders Academy

Before Maryland: Moved from his home in New Hampshire to play with the Seattle Sounders Academy under coach Mike Morris…made a pair of appearances for the Tacoma Defiance of the USL Championship…made 15 appearances for Seattle’s U-16/17 squad and seven for the U-18/19 squad in the US Soccer Development academy…helped Seattle win the 2019 Generation Adidas Cup Champion Division…previously played club soccer for Seacoast United and high school soccer for the Phillips Exeter Academy…named a 2017 WNEPPSA All-Star for the Big Red…son of Trip and Rachel…father played ice hockey at Boston University and mother played field hocey and lacrosse at Amherst…has a sister, Nicole.

Sasho on Jamie: “Jamie has a commanding presence on the field. He is a confident communicator and a very good distributor of the ball with both his feet and his hands.”

Joe Suchecki | Midfielder | New York, N.Y. | NYFC Academy

Before Maryland: Played for New York City FC Academy under coach Matt Pilkington…helped NYCFC win the U-19 US Soccer Development Academy National Championship…appeared 55 times for NYCFC’s U-16/17 team in the USSDA and scored 19 goals…scored four goals in 12 appearances for the U-18/19 team…selected to the Generation Adidas Elite Soccer Program in 2017…Top Drawer Soccer Generation Adidas Cup Best XI Honorable Mention…son of Mark and Susan…father rowed crew at Boston University and mother played squash and tennis for Wesleyan University…brother Tom played soccer for Pittsburgh and Northern Kentucky.

Sasho on Joe: “Joe is a very powerful and skillful soccer player. As a box-to-box midfielder, he can play the role of destroyer as well as playmaker.  He has a gifted left foot with a wide range of passing and finishing capacity.”