COLLEGE PARK, Md. – The Maryland men's soccer team erupted for a season-high four goals Sunday en route to a 4-0 shutout of No. 3 Penn State in Big Ten Conference action at Ludwig Field.
Mael Corboz notched the first two goals of the game for Maryland (5-5-2, 2-2-1 Big Ten) and Alex Shinsky and Tsubasa Endoh each found the back of the net in the second half to give Penn State (10-1-1, 4-1-0 Big Ten) its first loss of the year.
Reigning Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week Andrew Wolverton had surrendered a mere two goals all season long but woke up a sleeping giant Sunday as the Terps mustered four goals, the most for a Maryland squad since a five-goal outburst against Marshall Oct. 15, 2013.
Corboz put the Terps on the board early with his first goal in the run of play this season at 12:07. The junior transfer from Rutgers one-touched a beautiful serve from Mikey Ambrose from 25 yards for the 1-0 lead.
The midfielder followed with his fourth penalty kick tally of the 2014 campaign in the 32nd minute. Corboz also notched a PK in Wednesday's win against VCU at Ludwig.
Shinsky got in on the scoring action in the 53rd minute. A long-range blast from Jereme Raley ricocheted off the cross bar and Shinsky perfectly-slotted the rebound from five yards for a 3-0 Terrapin advantage.
Maryland wasn't finished yet, however.
Endoh picked up Maryland's fourth goal of the day with a right-footed strike, angled from the far sideline from 15 yards for an 82nd-minute score.
Zack Steffen, who boasted three saves, anchored a stellar defensive effort which held Penn State scoreless for the first time this season and entered the match averaging nearly two goals a game.
“This was a great team effort. It was a delight to be able to have all the available players for the first time all year,” head coach Sasho Cirovski said. “We received contributions from all over the field. I thought it was a great overall performance. I think we showed today that the adversity we've dealt with this year is starting to make us stronger. This is a transformational game for us.”
Maryland plays host to Lehigh Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Ludwig Field.
