Box Score
No. 22 Michigan State
0
2
No. 1 Maryland
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Playing in front of the fifth-largest crowd in Ludwig Field history, the No. 1 Maryland men's soccer team shut out No. 22 Michigan State, 2-0, Friday night in Big Ten Conference action.
Jake Rozhansky scored the game-winner and Michigan State (5-2-0, 2-1-0 B1G) posted an own goal as the Terps (6-0-2, 3-0-1 B1G) gave the Spartans their first blemish in league play.
Rozhansky's goal came off a wild play in the 54th minute. Chris Odoi-Atsem's serve from the far corner was one-timed by Eryk Williamson from the near side of the box directly to Rozhansky for the point-blank score. It is the second game-winner this season for the junior transfer from Virginia.
Michigan State's own goal came in the 73rd minute on a misplayed clear by Michael Pimlott. Alex Crognale snagged a free kick and nearly missed a streaking George Campbell before Pimlott pushed the ball in the back of the net, prompting the 7,391 fans in attendance to erupt.
It is the second time this season Maryland has boasted a crowd of over 7,300 as the Terps welcomed 7,413 fans for its early-season battle with rival Georgetown Sept. 2.
“This was our best and most complete game of the year. I thought our guys came out and played with tenacity, skill and commitment from the first minute to the last minute,” head coach Sasho Cirovski said. “The last two wins didn't feel great for us in terms of the way we performed and we committed to getting things right and making sure that we make it tough for other teams to score.
“A shutout tonight was as important as anything for us because it showed a real commitment to defending. Michigan State is incredibly disciplined, hard-working and difficult to score against. You have to respect that about them because they don't make it easy. But tonight we were able to find a couple goals and we will get better from this.”
Maryland travels to Northwestern Friday for an 8 p.m. matchup with the Wildcats.
