By: Greg Goldstein - Maryland Media Relations Student Intern
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - On Friday night, thousands of Maryland students and alumni flocked to Ludwig Field in record numbers to see the Terps take on the No. 1 UCLA Bruins. Fans filed into the stadium hours before game time en route to an all-time attendance record of 8,449. Fans who were not able to make their way into the stadium sat on the cliffs surrounding Ludwig to catch a view of the game.
The hype in the stadium was palpable as the game kicked off. Freshmen students Lee Fagen and Derek Wendall were amazed at how passionate the fan base was at Maryland.
“We didn't expect this big of a turn out, this is pretty impressive. We can't even get a seat,” said the first year students. “It's better than what I thought it would be. Everybody has been so welcoming. It's such a nice community. It's really close knit, everyone participates and it really feels like a family atmosphere.”
Early on in the match, UCLA and the Terps both had opportunities to get on the board, as both goalies were under pressure during many phases of the first half. However, neither side was able to put the ball in the back of the net through the first 45 minutes.
The passion on both sides continued to show as the second half before the first goal of the game came in the 63rd minute on a penalty kick by senior midfielder Mael Corboz. The penalty kick was set up by freshman forward Sebastian Elney as he was fouled while he weaved his way through the UCLA defense.
The Terps held the 1-0 lead until UCLA sophomore forward Abu Danladi was able to tie the game late after a Bruin corner kick.
The match remained tied at the end of 90 minutes and the teams went into 10-minute sudden death overtime. The Maryland faithful anxiously watched six minutes of overtime play until Elney was able to head in a cross from senior midfielder Tsubasa Endoh for the game-winning goal.
Elney, who was playing his first game at Ludwig Field, threw his jersey off and leaped into the stands after his clutch goal. For Elney, this is the type of atmosphere was what he was most looking forward to when he decided to attend the University of Maryland.
“It's a dream come true,” said Elney. “They all just told me that it's the best feeling you could have. It's an out of body feeling. You're just kind of playing with the crowd and they mean so much to us.”
The team also got a great effort from junior goalie Cody Niedermeier. Niedermeier saved six goals in total and made many spectacular diving saves throughout the match to keep Maryland within reach. For the redshirt junior, his first start as a Terp was a long time coming.
“It was surreal. Running out knowing you're starting, getting the time, especially against the No. 1 team in the country. It's a surreal moment, I couldn't stop smiling,” said Niedermeier.
The goalkeeper was also appreciative of the tremendous fan support that the team had.
“You hear some of the chants and you get excited, throw them a smile and a thumbs up here or there. It was a great atmosphere,” Niedermeier said.
The match will go down as an instant classic for the Maryland men's soccer team and their fans. The Terps will try to build off this positive momentum as the team plays Akron at Ludwig Field Monday at 7 p.m.
