One night after Ludwig Field saw multiple stoppages because of lighting issues during Maryland women’s soccer’s Thursday game against Indiana, an even more peculiar issue delayed the men’s soccer team on Friday night.
Both Maryland and Pittsburgh exited the halftime locker room with ample time to spare, but a sideline television interview with Panthers coach Jay Vidovich left players waiting on the pitch for an extra minute and a half.
But the Terps’ offense has thrived in the second half of games this season. Perhaps a delay would slow down one of the nation’s best late-scoring teams?
Instead, sophomore Stephane Njike scored the go-ahead goal just over three minutes after play resumed. Sadam Masereka added an additional score in the 82nd minute, which became the match-winner in a 2-1 home victory over Pittsburgh.
“I thought we did well [in the first half], but we had nothing to show for it,” Maryland coach Sasho Cirovski said. “In the second half we came out, and there was just a lot more quality when we got the ball in the final third.”
Entering Friday, there was a massive discrepancy between the two teams in second-half goal scoring. Maryland (5-0-1, 1-0 Big Ten) had scored seven times in the 70th minute or later this year. Meanwhile, the Panthers (3-4-1) had not done it at all through seven games.
The two goal-scorers Friday – Njike and Masereka – were a testament to the chemistry the wingers have built in the early stages of this season. The wing pair has frustrated opposing backlines with their differing skillsets.
“They’re a great combination of skill, and speed and athleticism,” Cirovski said. “They’ve been a Godsend. Having … the double threat I think is a real big problem for a lot of teams.”
[Maryland men’s soccer has ample depth. It’s showing late in games]
The speedy Masereka often beats defenders with well-timed runs. Maryland’s first goal highlighted his speed, as Masereka ran underneath a lofted through ball from junior Leon Koehl. The senior right winger then played a low cross to Njike in front of goal.
That’s exactly where Njike’s skillset has shined this season. The Terps’ most creative offensive player often looks as if he’s playing at a different pace than his teammates. The French native has already tallied six points in just five games.
Arguably none were as pretty as Friday’s goal. Njike took a touch, offered a pair of fake shots, and then finished the chance by firing a right-footed shot into the back of the net.
Masereka notched Maryland’s second score late in the second half, continuing its streak of late-game dominance. The Terps now have eight scores this season after the 70th minute,
the same number they posted in a full 2024 campaign.
That goal became particularly important when Maryland conceded its first goal of the season from open play, in the 88th minute. The late score tinted an otherwise perfect victory, one that would’ve looked even more impressive near the season’s onset.
A few weeks ago, Friday’s matchup had the promise of an intriguing clash between two of the better teams in the country. The Panthers were the No. 3 team in the nation in late August and Maryland seemed primed to be a contender in a strong Big Ten.
[Leon Koehl’s versatility provides a crucial advantage for Maryland men’s soccer]
But Pittsburgh’s free-fall over the past month dropped them out of the rankings completely. It entered Friday with one win in its previous five games.
Offensive inconsistency hampered the Panthers during their losing stretch. They were held scoreless in their previous two games and the drought continued in Friday’s first half with Maryland dominating possession.
The Terps created first-half chances in a plethora of ways. Freshman Rocket Ritarita’s first career start gave Maryland another element of counter-attacking speed, with Masereka and Njike flanking the freshman.
Senior Matias De Jesus also made his first start of the year, as Cirovski noted that a few Terps starters weren’t fully healthy.
“Last year, if guys were 60 to 70 percent [fitness], they still needed to play,” he said. “Right now if guys are not anywhere near 100 percent, we’ve got players who can hop in.”
Cirovski’s intention was seemingly to set up a breakaway chance with a through ball to one of those quick forwards. But most of those early passes were overhit and ended up in the hands of Panthers goalkeeper Jack Moxom.
Masereka had several decent chances, and Njike fired four first-half shots—only one of which tested Moxom. But in true form to the Terps’ formula this season, the two redeemed themselves in the second half, lifting Maryland to another impressive early-season victory.
