In a long and grueling season with a tough non-conference schedule, the Maryland men’s soccer team hasn’t played with the same intensity every game. Yet coach Sasho Cirovski said the No. 1 Terps, who are one of the nation’s most successful college soccer programs, always have to since they get each foe’s toughest fight.
Against No. 24 West Virginia on Monday, Maryland didn’t put together its best performance of the season after dominating its past four opponents by a combined score of 10-0. But the Terps found a way to rack up their seventh consecutive victory.
After midfielder Amar Sejdic scored in the 26th minute, the defense held on to lift the Terps to a 1-0 win over the Mountaineers in Morgantown, West Virginia.
“It was a very quality win against a very determined West Virginia team,” Cirovski said. “They were up for the occasion and had a huge crowd. We responded very well. We got the early goal, and we showed some determination on the defensive side of the ball and some grit.”
After struggling with its intensity earlier this season, Maryland (10-0-2) got out to one of its fastest starts of the season in a 2-0 win over Ohio State on Friday. The Terps scored two goals in the opening 19 minutes.
Maryland didn’t create the same openings against the Mountaineers’ 4-5-1 formation. Instead, West Virginia (6-4-1), who allowed five goals all season entering Monday, controlled possession early on.
Yet the Terps took advantage of their first shot on goal.
Forward Sebastian Elney crossed to midfielder Jake Rozhansky in the box. The junior drew two defenders and passed to Sejdic, who was open at the top of the box. The sophomore struck the ball into the back of the net for his fifth goal of the season.
The Terps were outshot for the second time this season, but Cirovski isn’t concerned. He said his team focused on its defense after scoring. Plus, the crowd of 2,019 and the Mountaineers’ determination to take down the nation’s top-ranked team created a challenge.
“When you get the early goal and you’re playing away on a record crowd night, you’re going to face some pressure,” Cirovski said. “That’s just normal of the game. I’m not worried about the statistics.”
Defender Alex Crognale, who played the most minutes for the Terps leading up to Monday, didn’t play against West Virginia due to a minor injury he suffered Friday. Freshman defender Miles Stray settled in as Crognale’s replacement after playing just 42 minutes entering the match.
Cirovski said Stray and defender Donovan Pines, who played the final 17 minutes, stepped up at center back in Crognale’s absence.
Goalkeeper Cody Niedermeier averaged 1.8 saves per match entering Monday mainly due to the Terps’ backline erasing opposing opportunities. Monday, he saved a season-high eight shots as the Mountaineers continued to put pressure on Maryland’s backline in the second half.
The senior helped the Terps preserve their fifth straight shutout despite West Virginia outshooting Maryland, 15-8.
“We came out, got the early goal, put some pressure on them, and in the second half it was a little bit of a challenge,” Cirovski said. “but we handled it well.”
While the Terps didn’t dominate like they had in the past, they took the lead and their defense held on to keep the squad’s undefeated season alive heading into a four-game home stand.
“We knew we would have to show some resolve on the defensive side of the ball,” Cirovski said. “We did that.”
