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By IVES GALARCEP

Maryland’s slow start to the 2013 season may have taken some of the luster off of it, but tonight’s ACC showdown between the Terrapins and SBI No. 7 North Carolina is still a can’t-miss match for people who want to see top-notch MLS prospects in action (7pm, ESPN3.com).

The SBI No. 20 Terps have just one win from their first four matches, but the talented side still can’t be overlooked as they try to re-establish their place as national power against an unbeaten Tar Heels side that has started the season well on the strength of Tyler Engel’s fast start. The junior forward and Chicago Fire academy product has a team-leading three goals and will look to punish a Maryland defense that has allowed goals in bunches early in the season.

A not as high-profile match that should be just as entertaining features unbeaten UAB taking on Charlotte. The SBI No. 9 Blazers have been one of the surprises of the young season and they will be looking for a statement victory against a 49ers side that will be their toughest competition in Conference USA.

SBI No. 4 Akron will be looking to rebound from their first loss of the season when they take on No. 19 VCU. The Rams are coming off a victory over Maryland and draw vs. New Mexico, but winning at Akron has broken to be nearly impossible in recent years.

Sunday’s schedule features a pair of battles between ranked teams, with No. 21 Northwestern taking on a surprising Butler side that checked in at No. 9 in the latest SBI Top 25. The top match-up out West features New Mexico taking on unbeaten Cal-State Northridge.

Here is this weekend’s schedule of top college soccer matches:

COLLEGE SOCCER WEEKEND SCHEDULE 

FRIDAY

3pm- (21) Northwestern vs. Green Bay

6pm- (17) Tulsa vs. UMKC

7pm- Northern Illinois vs. (12) Butler

7pm- (4) Akron vs. (19) VCU

7pm- Syracuse vs. (6) Notre Dame

7pm- Penn State vs. (2) California

7pm- (7) North Carolina vs. (20) Maryland (ESPN3.com)

7pm- Old Dominion vs. (1) Creighton

7pm- (18) Louisville vs. UC-Irvine

7pm- (15) Wake Forest vs. Virginia

7pm- Michigan vs. Marquette

7pm- Brown vs. (8) Washington

7pm- Duke vs. Virginia Tech

8pm- Indiana vs. CSU-Bakersfield

8pm- (9) UAB vs. (14) Charlotte

8pm- (16) St. John’s vs. South Carolina

9pm- (5) New Mexico vs. Santa Clara

10pm- (10) UCLA vs. UCSB

SATURDAY

7pm- (3) UConn vs. Bradley

7pm- UNC-Greensboro vs. Coastal Carolina

8pm- (13) Saint Louis vs. Evansville

SUNDAY

Noon- William & Mary vs. (1) Creighton

1pm- (4) Akron vs. San Diego State

1pm- (11) Georgetown vs. James Madison

1pm- Indiana vs. UC-Irvine

1pm- (21) Northwestern vs. (12) Butler

3:30pm- East Tennessee State vs. (9) UAB

3:30pm- (19) VCU vs. Niagara

4pm- Marquette vs. Michigan State

4pm- UCSB vs. Penn

5pm- (18) Louisville vs. CSU-Bakersfield

7pm- (10) UCLA vs. San Diego

7pm- (16) St. John’s vs. West Virginia

8pm- (5) New Mexico vs. (23) Cal-State Northridge