The Maryland men’s soccer team came out flat in its match against San Diego on Monday. The Terps recorded just two shots in the opening frame.
So coach Sasho Cirovski said his squad needed to reverse that trend going forward. Maryland accomplished that goal Friday in one of its fastest starts of the season against Ohio State.
Forwards Gordon Wild and Sebastian Elney scored within the opening 19 minutes to lead No. 1 Maryland to a 2-0 win over the Buckeyes at Ludwig Field for the team’s sixth consecutive victory.
“Another great night at Ludwig,” Cirovski said. “I’m really pleased by our great first half by the team tonight. We were a little unlucky to not get a third goal at that point.”
Maryland (9-0-2, 5-0-1 Big Ten) entered Friday after dominating its past three opponents by a combined score of 8-0. Against Ohio State (3-9, 2-3), the Terps continued to dictate possession from the start, which led to two early goals.
Elney back touched the ball to Wild in the 13th minute as the German sprinted toward the box. Wild received the ball, made two dribbles toward the center of the box and netted the ball for his Big Ten-leading 10th goal of the season.
About six minutes later, after the ball bounced between a group of players in the box, the ball rolled to Elney at the top of the box. The sophomore, who led Maryland with seven goals last year, struck the ball into the back of the net for his second score of the season as his teammates corralled him with hugs.
It’s taken time for Wild and Elney to create a strong relationship after Wild joined the Terps from South Carolina Upstate this summer. Friday, Cirovski said the pair looked better than it had all season.
“It felt really good,” Elney said. “Being in front of The Crew and being in front of the atmosphere, we come out flying. We’re so pumped and excited to play.”
Maryland, who’s scored 18 of its 26 goals after the first half, struggled to create opportunities at the beginning of the second frame.
Cirovski said his squad came out in the second half “on the protective side,” which is something he said needs to improve on going forward. Plus, the veteran coach said his team was fatigued after playing against San Diego’s high-pressure defense Monday.
“Ohio State, it’s a big game for them,” goalkeeper Cody Niedermeier said. “You get up 2-0 early, and they get one, they’re right back in it. You really want to keep going on them. We weren’t able to do that tonight.”
While the Buckeyes outshot Maryland, 7-5, in the frame, the Terps’ backline, which Cirovski said would develop into one of the best units in the country throughout the season, stood strong for its fourth consecutive shutout.
Even after each commanding win his squad earned entering Friday, Cirovski said the Terps still needed to improve. Friday, Maryland players took a victory lap around Ludwig Field after the contest. Though Cirovski focuses on one game at a time, Elney said the Terps continued to make strides toward their potential.
“The game’s come so fast and furious, I don’t think about those things,” Cirovski said. “Nonetheless, I’m very proud of a great night for the team.”
