No. 23 Maryland men’s soccer was practically flawless to begin the year.
A 5-0-1 start was the Terps’ best opening to a season since 2017. They scored 18 goals — two shy of the total they posted during the entire 2023 slate — while conceding just four, giving them the Big Ten’s best goal differential.
Maryland’s lone blemish was its 2-2 draw against Bucknell — and even then, the Terps controlled the game and out-performed the Bison in every offensive statistic.
But their road clash with Penn StateTuesday served as a reminder that near-perfect play is often impossible to sustain. Maryland rescued a 2-2 draw against its rival, though it looked mortal in the process — an atypical occurrence so far this year.
The back line was uncharacteristically faulty
Scoring goals always garners more attention than preventing them.
While Maryland’s attack numbers drew the highlights, defensive stability was the key in the team’s superb start.Center backs Lasse Kelp and Tristen Rose delivered steadfast performances that limited opponents to one goal from open play through the first six matches — a score that came in the 89th minute with the Terps leading by two against Pittsburgh.
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Maryland’s defenders also held opponents to single-digit shots five consecutive times entering Tuesday. That trend continued as the Nittany Lions registered nine attempts. But Maryland’s poor passing along the back line gifted Penn State several of its chances.
Penn State’s forwards pressed higher up the pitch after the Terps grabbed a 1-0 lead in the 36th minute. It forced Maryland’s defenders to make quicker decisions with the ball at their feet.
They committed several turnovers as a result, with two being particularly detrimental in the second half.
Penn State junior Freddie Bell dispossessed defensive midfielder Chris Steinleitner inside Maryland’s 18-yard box. Penn State turned that into an equalizing score just five seconds later.
The other turnover was a little more unlucky. Rose stole a Nittany Lions pass but took a heavy touch in doing so. Maryland’s senior center back raced to the ball in an effort to retrieve possession, but Penn State freshmanBen Nash beat him to it.
With Rose out of position, the Nittany Lions swiftly countered and notched a go-ahead goal.
Those giveaways were abnormal for a Terps defense that’s usually accustomed to beating the opposition’s press.
Goalkeeper Laurin Mack is extremely comfortable with the ball at his feet, as is Maryland’s entire back line. That composure on the ball allows the Terps to start attacks from deep — coach Sasho Cirovski’s favored offensive strategy.
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Given Maryland’s other defensive showings this year, Tuesday’s errors appear to just be a blip.
The impact of Njike’s red card moving forward
Sophomore left winger Stephane Njike received a red card for serious foul play during Tuesday’s second half. It was an uncharacteristic error for Njike, whose only career caution was a yellow card last season at Long Island.
He was the first Maryland player to get sent off in more than two years, and the first to receive a straight red card since October 2021.
The ejection deems Njike ineligible for Friday’s match against Northwestern.
It’s an obvious knock to Maryland’s forward line, with Njike starting all seven matches thus far. But the Terps have the attacking depth to cope for a game.
Freshman Rocket Ritarita has started the past two matches at striker, though his natural position is on the left flank. Junior Luke van Heukelum will likely reassume the striker role, where he’s made four starts this season.
Ritarita and van Heukelum have both logged 247 minutes this year. They shared the field for about 40 of those. Starting the pair alongside each other would be unique, but Cirovski will have to make a change given Njike’s absence.
