EVANSTON, Ill. – Cole Missimo scored the game-winner 1:06 into the first overtime to lift Northwestern to a 3-2 victory against the Maryland men's soccer team Sunday afternoon at Lakeside Field.
Maryland (3-5-2, 1-2-1 Big Ten) came from two goals down to knot the game with under five minutes to play in regulation as Jeroen Meefout found the equalizer at 85:23. Mael Corboz notched the other Terrapin goal on a penalty kick midway thru the first half.
Northwestern (5-1-4, 1-1-2 Big Ten) kicked off the scoring early with a pair of goals in the first three minutes of the match. A scrum in the box resulted in a score for Henry Herrill which was set up by assists from Brandon Medina and Cole Missimo for the early cushion. Terrapin keeper Zack Steffen appeared to make the stop to his right but the ball fumbled just past the sophomore and over the goal line for the score.
About 10 minutes later, Joey Calistri followed with a goal of his own after a perfectly-orchestrated play, again from Missimo and Medina, at 11:47 for a 2-0 advantage.
The Terps would answer before the break, however. After Jake Areman, who picked up the late start Sunday afternoon, served a ball into the box, a handball by the Wildcats resulted in a penalty kick opportunity for Corboz. The junior transfer from Rutgers nailed his chance to shrink NU's lead in half at 2-1 at 25:02.
Maryland continued to apply pressure up-top throughout the remainder of the match, boasting a hefty 15-7 shot advantage on the day. Northwestern managed only two tries in the first – both of which it scored on – and another four in the second.
The Terps finally put goal No. 2 on the scoreboard when Michael Sauers made a great run on the far side and found Meefout streaking at the top of the box for a one-touch finish to Wildcat keeper Tyler Miller's left.
Missimo, who already boasted two assists on the day, found the back of the net himself at 91:06. Following a run by Calistri, which managed to tip-toe the end line, Missimo was left open in the center of the box for the game-winner.
Maryland returns to action on Wednesday when it welcomes VCU for the annual “Power in Pink” game at Ludwig Field. The match is slated for 7 p.m. and will be available on BTN Plus.
