Maryland men’s soccer’s midfield trio has largely remained the same since it began conference play in September.

Chris Steinleitner slotted into the defensive midfielder role, playing just ahead of the Terps’ center backs, as Albi Ndrenika and Leon Koehl pushed further up the pitch. They often aid Maryland in attacking positions, but are also responsible for helping the defense.

When Koehl suffered an injury at the end of the first half of the Terps’ 1-1 draw against UCLA on Monday and didn’t play after halftime, the Bruins exploited his absence.

“Leon is a high-quality player for us, he’s incredibly in form,” Alex Nitzl said. “So obviously, losing a player of his quality always hurts.”

The lack of Koehl in the central areas caused coach Sasho Cirovski to shift the personnel in his formation. Nitzl played up and down the central areas of the field. Ndrenika and Steinleitner held their places from the first half.

UCLA’s equalizer came with all three players pushed high into Maryland’s attack.

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The Terps won a corner, but couldn’t steer a shot on target. The Bruins took a quick goal kick and transitioned from defense to offense down the left sideline.

UCLA defender Nicholas Cavallo switched the play from the left to the right with a sweeping ball across the field. As the Terps’ back line retreated to try and prevent defender Philip Naef from shooting — the target of Cavallo’s cross-field pass — a pair of UCLA players stood unmarked at the top of the box.

Naef softly touched the ball down to midfielder Tamir Ratoviz, who shot and scored 10 minutes into the second half. Both Steinleitner and Nitzl tracked back, but not quick enough to stop Ratoviz.

“We adjusted our tactics slightly, but they also adjusted theirs too,” Cirovski said.

Steinleitner and Nitzl upped their pressure while UCLA held possession in a 1-1 tie.

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The pair ventured forward while the Bruins passed the ball through the midfield. Forward Sveinn Hauksson dropped into the available space and flicked a through ball into Naef’s path. Maryland goalkeeper Laurin Mack rushed out to push the ball away and prevent a second Bruins goal.

UCLA played a diamond through the middle, according to Nitzl. That combination had two wide players, an attacking-minded player centrally and one deep-lying Bruin, similar to Steinleitner’s task. UCLA used the wider areas to brush through the middle.

Cavallo dribbled past Sadam Masereka, Ndrenika and Luca Costabile and sprayed a pass to the right while continuing to run toward Maryland’s goal. Forward Jose Contell raced down the touchline and sent a low cross into the box for Cavallo’s shot, but Mack caught the attempt.

While Mack saved a pair of second-half goals, Koehl’s absence opened up Maryland’s midfield. The Terps’ control, and sixth conference win, slipped away as the Bruins used all areas of the pitch to generate multiple attacks and produce the game-tying tally.

Maryland is tied for first in the Big Ten standings. An extended period of time without one of its starting midfielders could pose problems closing out victories and remaining at the top.

“We want to be flexible,” Nitzl said. “It’s just a small adjustment. The principles of the game stay the same no matter the formation.”