Maryland men’s soccer forward Colin Griffith sat the ball down on the penalty spot. He was one kick away from giving the Terps an early lead.
The junior went left, but was matched by Michigan goalie Isaiah Goldson. Griffith failed to score his first penalty kick attempt of the year. It was a costly miscue.
No. 2 Maryland struggled on Friday. It dropped its first conference match to Michigan, 2-0, in Ann Arbor. The loss was its first in two months.
The Terps (8-2-5, 5-1-2 Big Ten) were held scoreless for the first time in Big Ten play and in their first game since Aug. 25. Results around the conference caused Maryland to drop from first place with two matches to go, falling at least two points off the top.
Michigan (7-3-5, 2-3-4 Big Ten) has conceded six goals in its last three outings, including five against Indiana in a 5-0 loss. Maryland has scored in every Big Ten contest this campaign and won an early chance to extend that streak.
Forward Sadam Masereka dribbled down the right sideline and used his pace to get into the Wolverines’ box shortly into the match. Michigan defender Bryce Blevins slid, taking out Masereka inside the area.
[Leon Koehl’s injury cost Maryland men’s soccer in the second half against UCLA]
The Terps without their normal penalty taker Leon Koehl, who missed the match after suffering an injury last match. Forward Colin Griffith — who is tied for the highest scorer on the team alongside Koehl — failed to convert.
Maryland’s first penalty miss of the season proved costly early.
Blevins crossed the ball into the middle of the Terps’ box. Wolverines defender Patrick O’Toole dove, connecting with his head to nod the ball past goalie Laurin Mack. O’Toole’s first career tally was scored just four minutes after Maryland’s missed penalty.
Michigan failed to strike during the same three-game stretch when it gave up six. Its goal-less run ended immediately after Griffith’s blunder. O’Toole’s marker was the lone shot on target for the Wolverines in the half, but separated the sides after 45 minutes.
Michigan’s second attempt on goal came four minutes after the restart.
[No. 6 Maryland men’s soccer can’t hold lead, draws with No. 19 UCLA, 1-1]
The Wolverines sent a cross into the box. A video review deemed the ball deflected onto defender Bjarne Thiesen’s hand. Blevins converted the spot kick to double Michigan’s advantage in the 49th minute.
The Terps generated 13 more shots than the Wolverines in the match and nine more in the second half alone. But Maryland couldn’t strike, even with the plethora of chances.
Griffith danced his way through two Michigan defenders just outside the box. He evaded both and dribbled in one-on-one with Goldson. His shot beat the Wolverines’ goalie, but not the post, striking the crossbar 10 minutes later with a header.
Midfielder Chris Steinleitner fired a low shot off a Terps’ corner three minutes after Griffith hit the post, but Goldson held onto the effort. Goldson finished with a season-high nine saves. Seven came in the second period.
Maryland may regret its missed chances against Michigan. The Terps enter the final week of the regular season with the Big Ten title still in their grasp, but will need to defeat Rutgers and No. 1 Ohio State to hoist a trophy.
