COLLEGE PARK, Md. – Maryland's debut in the Big Ten became a reality for players and fans alike as the University's women's soccer team won the first conference game of any sport to be played on home soil on Friday, Sept. 12.

The team's 2-0 victory over No. 25 Rutgers marked a new era of competition for the University, an exciting experience both on the field and in the stands.

Rowdy crowds of students lead cheers and sang along to the music that played during breaks in the action. Others made signs supporting their favorite players.  Everyone cheered for goals and booed for blocked shots. 

“It's been a great turn out, a great first game,” Senior Associate Athletics Director Marcus Wilson, the women's soccer sports supervisor, said. “The crowd's great tonight.” 

“It's really exciting [to be here] because I wasn't able to travel with the men's team to Michigan tonight,” Maryland men's soccer goalkeeper Cody Niedermeier said.  “This is my first real taste of what the Big Ten conference is going to be about.”

More than 1,400 fans packed the stands to celebrate the inaugural game. Some spectators were avid soccer fans; others were drawn in by the historic matchup. 

The new conference “definitely makes it more intense,” freshman engineering major Willie Brown said while watching from behind the goal with a group of friends.

However, the friends are fans of the team, as well as fans of the conference.

“We go to the games regardless,” freshman accounting major Josh Singshinsuk said. “I live in Ellicott and when I'm walking to class I'll stop by and watch them practice for a bit.  It's really cool.”

Those who follow the team are optimistic about their entrance into a conference known for an aggressive and, overall, big playing style. 

“Our girls are going to have a good season in the Big Ten,” sophomore computer science major Paul Joseph said.  “They're looking really good this year.” 

The Mighty Sound of Maryland pep band played at the event, it's first trip to a soccer game in memory for drum major Eddie Kirk. 

“It's different from football or basketball,” he said. “They told us we could play while the team plays which we don't normally get to do.” 

Kirk said that although he had never been to a soccer game at Maryland before, he suspected that Friday would not be his last. “I'd definitely come back,” he said.  “Especially to play in the band.  The atmosphere here is too much fun.”

The university's men's soccer fan club, The Crew, didn't make an official showing at the game, but several of its members were there to support the women's team.  They'll be at Ludwig field in full force Friday, Sept. 19 when the women's soccer teams hosts Michigan before the men's team plays Michigan State. 

Testudo, another game-day staple, roamed the stands posing for photos with fans and doling out high-fives. He's not allowed to talk, but when asked if he was excited to start playing Big Ten teams he waved a “bring it on” and pumped his fists. 

University President Dr. Wallace Loh also worked the crowd, singing the Maryland fight song when the team scored and handing out miniature Terrapin pins during halftime. 

“He's always at the games,” said student Bridget Woolery of Loh. “It's so awesome.”

It's too early to tell if game attendance and enthusiasm will stay high as the Terps finish out the remainder of their conference schedule.  But after the first Big Ten game team members said the added support helped lift them through rough patches on the field. 

“The atmosphere was really great,” said junior midfielder Maisie McCune in a separate interview. “Having this type of crowd with the band here, it really helped get us pumped to play … the crowd was terrific.”

Catherine Sheffo, a junior journalism major at the University of Maryland, is a contributing writer to umterps.com.