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No. 19 Maryland Nets win 2-1 over Northwestern, securing best start in Big Ten play

Jasper
No. 19 Maryland Nets win 2-1 over Northwestern, securing best start in Big Ten play

EVANSTON, IL – No. 19 Maryland men’s soccer picked up its third straight win to start Big Ten play as the Terps beat Northwestern 2-1 on a windy Friday night at Martin Stadium. It’s the first time ever that the Terps have won their first three games to start Big Ten play and are 3-0 and 5-1-3 overall. This is the Terrapins’ best start to conference play since the 2012 season, when the Terps started ACC play with six straight wins to start conference play.

With the win, the Terps’ unbeaten streak extends to seven games in a row with a record of 5-0-2. The last such undefeated streak came in 2022, when the Terps went eight games undefeated (6-0-2).

Leon Koehl gave the Terps the lead in the 12th minute. Colin Griffith beat the Northwestern defender, who brought the forward down in the box to give the Terps a penalty opportunity. As before, Koehl sank the penalty shot to give the Terps a 1-0 lead. For Koehl, it’s a 4-on-4 performance as a sophomore to start the season. Koehl’s four PK goals are the most for a Terp since Malcolm Johnston, who scored four for Maryland during the 2022 season.

 

The Terps’ next opportunity came just five minutes later. Griffith found himself free in the penalty area after a backheel pass from behind Luca Costabilecompleting a chance to double the Terps’ lead to 2-0. The goal for Griffith was his third goal of the season, matching his career high from the 2022 season.

Northwestern outscored Maryland 4-3 in the first half, but all four shots were blocked by Maryland’s backline. Laurin Mack It wasn’t until the second half, shortly after halftime in the 46th minute, that he made his first save, stopping a shot in the bottom left corner of the net.

Northwestern scored its only goal of the game in the 64th minute when Christopher Thaggard scored on a free kick. The goal cut the score to 2-1 and was a double assist from Luke Shriner and Collin McCamy.

Coach Cirovski’s opinion

“I am very proud of the boys, who created a number of good chances, especially in the first half, and scored the two goals. We knew the second half was going to be very difficult and we had to endure some pressure and make some plays. “I felt we got another great result away from home and I’m really happy with the overall performance.

The XI

Breaking down the action

  • Griffith cut into the box and was pulled to the ground, leading to a penalty opportunity for Maryland. Leon Koehl took advantage of the opportunity to score his fourth PK goal of the season.


  • Just five minutes later, Colin Griffith found himself in the penalty area after a backheel pass Luca Costabile to double the Terps’ lead.

  • Sadam Masereka got a chance in the 25th minute, but his attempt was blocked by Northwestern goalkeeper Rafael Ponce de Leon.

  • Northwestern had a chance in the 46th minute, but Laurin Mack was synonymous with the shot for his first save of the game.

  • Northwestern’s Christopher Thaggard scored a goal for the Wildcats in the 64th minute, making it 2-1.

  • The Terps withstood Northwestern’s late push with two shots in the final three minutes – neither of which found the net.

Numbers you should know

  • 3: The Terps are 3-0 as a Big Ten starter for the first time in history.

  • 3: Colin Griffith scored his third goal of the season, setting his career high from the 2022 season.

  • 4: Leon Koehl sank his fourth penalty of the season, tying Malcolm Johnston’s tally of four penalty goals in 2022.

  • 7: The Terps are undefeated in their last seven games overall at 5-0-2.

  • 21: Mack has 21 saves in eight games this season.

  • 60: Alex Nitzl played in his 60th game at Maryland

Next

  • The Terps return home for the first of two home conference games, hosting Penn State on October 1st. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. and the game will be broadcast on Big Ten Network

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