Moving positions helped Jake Rozhansky have the “best feeling” in Terps men’s soccer’s win

Maryland men’s soccer midfielder Jake Rozhansky played right wing through his first seven games with the Terps, but coach Sasho Cirovski moved the Virginia transfer to center midfield against No. 22 Michigan State on Friday night.

He wanted Rozhansky to have more freedom with the ball, and the move paid off.

Rozhansky played what Cirovski called his most complete game of the year while scoring his second goal of the season in the No. 1 Terps’ 2-0 victory at Ludwig Field.

Friday “was the most chances and most attacking creations I had in a game,” Rozhansky said. “I made a lot of runs. [Playing in the middle] helped me a lot personally in this game.”

Rozhansky, who attempted two shots against the Spartans, has been a crucial piece of Cirovski’s offense after transferring from Virginia last spring. He’s attempted the second most shots on the team (16), but he struggled to find the back of the net after leading the Cavaliers with four goals in 2015.

The Germantown native’s first score of the season came as a game-winner at Rutgers on Sept. 13. Midfielder Eryk Williamson, who Rozhansky played with on the D.C. United U-23 team this summer, sent a cross into the box to forward Sebastian Elney. Scarlet Knights goalkeeper David Greczek blocked Elney’s attempt, and Rozhansky netted the rebound.

But scoring at Ludwig Field meant more to Rozhansky. He grew up attending Maryland home matches as a fan, and he played on Ludwig Field as the foe last season when the Terps beat Virginia in the NCAA Tournament.

So Rozhansky said it was the “best feeling” when he scored in the 53rd minute Friday.

Williamson received a pass from defender Chris Odoi-Atsem in the box and crossed to Rozhansky in front of goal. The ball smacked off Rozhansky’s thigh and into the net for his second goal of the season. The 5-foot-9, 145-pound midfielder dove onto the field as his teammates dog piled him and The Crew erupted in cheers.

Later on, Rozhansky also played a part in the Spartans’ own-goal that allowed the Terps to take a 2-0 lead. Off Rozhansky’s free kick, defender Alex Crognale headed the ball toward the right goalpost. Michigan State defender Michael Pimlott tried to clear the ball, but he tapped it into the back of the net instead.

“Growing up, he was on the team younger than me when I was playing on the [Olney] Rangers,” goalkeeper Cody Niedermeier said. “It’s really cool that he was able to go to Virginia and come back and kind of reunite. It was definitely cool to see him have some success out on Ludwig.”

Rozhansky played center midfield for Virginia last season, but with Williamson taking that role at the beginning of the year, Cirovski wanted to spread the field with Rozhansky on the right side.

With Cirovski’s switch Friday, though, Rozhansky proved his versatility in the midfield.

“He covered a lot of ground [Friday],” Cirovski said. “It led him to being in some good spots. I’m really happy for Jake. He’s a great, great kid. This means a lot to him to play for our program and play in front of Ludwig.”