Maryland men’s soccer goalkeeper Laurin Mack came off his line as Penn State midfielder Michael Hewes darted in behind the Terps’ center backs. Hewes got a shot away, but Mack’s outstretched leg deflected the shot onto the post — which the freshman then claimed.

Maryland forward Colin Griffith controlled a pass four minutes later. The junior dribbled into the box and unleashed a curling effort that nestled into the bottom right corner. Mack’s timely save and Griffith’s strike prevented the Terps from their first conference defeat as they drew 1-1 with the Nittany Lions Tuesday night.

Maryland’s 10 points out of a possible 12 is tied for its best start to Big Ten play since entering the conference, which places the team on top of the standings. Mack’s heroics and Griffith’s recent scoring stretch were needed upgrades from last season’s disastrous campaign.

“We had a consistent group the whole spring,” graduate student Alex Nitzl said. “We added a lot of good players, we added a lot of maturity.”

[No. 12 Maryland men’s soccer ends Big Ten winning streak in 1-1 draw with Penn State]

Mack is one of the newer players to take the field for the Terps. He spent time in Germany, playing as high as the third tier of German professional soccer, the 3. Liga. The keeper has started in all but one of Maryland’s matches this season, providing consistency between the posts that has benefitted the Terps.

Maryland rotated Jaime Lowell and Mikah Seger in 2023, with Lowell starting seven games and Seger getting the nod in six. The pair conceded 19 goals, and third-choice goalkeeper Saxon Wolcott gave up four more. Those 23 goals allowed was the third-highest mark in the Big Ten.

But in Mack’s nine outings, he’s averaged less than one goal allowed a game. He has made 10 saves in four conference games and notched a career-high five stops against Indiana to earn him his second clean sheet.

Mack has also been sound with the ball at his feet. Coach Sasho Cirovski credited his distribution, which allows Maryland to play out of the back and go from defense to offense quickly.

[Colin Griffith’s versatility helps Maryland men’s soccer’s attack]

“He’s what we call a freshman plus,” Cirovski said. “He’s a 20-year-old freshman, he’s played in some big games and played for a top club in Germany in Freiburg … He’s a very good goalkeeper. I think he’s a calming presence back there.”

Maryland coupled its goalkeeping miscues in 2023 with its lowest goal tally in a full season under Cirovski, scoring just 20 times. Griffith and the rest of the squad’s recent flurry has helped the Terps rebound this year.

The junior has tallied three goals so far in conference play, including the winning strike against Northwestern. His goal against the Nittany Lions on Tuesday was his fourth in five games.

Cirovski said the forward is growing confidence and is a bright spot for his side. His play on the pitch is a result.

Nine different Terps have registered a goal this season, aiding one of the best finishing sides in the conference. Only seven players scored for Maryland last year.

Maryland’s sights are now set on hoisting another Big Ten trophy, not just making it back to the postseason.

“We worked our asses off, we built something, we developed, we got better,” Nitzl said. “We just worked hard for it and hopefully it stays that way.”