COLLEGE PARK, Md. – An Eric Matzelevich goal in the 18^th minute lifted the No. 24 Maryland men's soccer team to a 1-0 win over Akron at Ludwig Field Friday night.

View From the Box

• Maryland put forth a sensational 90 minute effort back to front as the reigning national champions once again got the best of the 2018 national runners up. The Terps outshot the Zips by just a 10-9 margin, but had the best of the attacking possession for the majority of the contest.
• Matzelevich's goal was a rocket of a strike in the 18^th minute. After a scramble for possession about 25 yards away from goal, Malcolm Johnston poked the ball into the path of Matzelevich who struck the ball past Tor Saunders and into the upper-90 of the net. The goal was the junior's second of the season. It was Johnston's first career assist.
• Redshirt freshman Nick Richardson did fantastic work winning the ball back to spark the goal scoring sequence. It was more of the same from Richardson throughout the night, as the Terps defensive midfielder has started to spark comparisons to former teammate and midfield ace Andrew Samuels.
• Sophomore Brayan Padilla didn't find the scoresheet on the night, but had two beautiful left footed efforts skim the top of the net in both halves. It was another breakout performance for the Texan, who slid into an attacking midfield role to pull the strings for the Maryland attack on the night.
• Congrats are owed to freshman Justin Harris, who earned his first career start. The Clarksville, Md., native was impressed in his extended runout, fearlessly going at Akron defenders on the left wing and sparking turnovers in Maryland's potent press. Fellow freshman Johnston also exceled in Maryland's high press and both newcomers received praise from their head coach postgame.  
• Maryland's backline held an experienced and hungry Akron front line in check. Johannes Bergmann and Brett St. Martin blocked multiple shots while the Di Rosa brothers ran up and down the wings snuffing out Akron attacks. Freshman keeper Niklaus Neumann notched his first career victory between the sticks and made a pair of saves.
• After getting his Maryland debut against Virginia at Audi Field, Fola Adetola made his first career appearance at Ludwig Field and put in a quality shift.
• The Terps have now won five straight matches at Ludwig Field dating back to last season.
• The Terps won the match by the same score lines as their national title triumph over the Zips last December. Maryland improved its record to 3-2-1 all-time against Akron. Both previous wins had come in postseason play.
• Maryland Athletics Hall of Famer and 2005 National Champion Jason Garey called the match for BTN. Former Terp and current DC United player Chris Odoi-Atsem was also in attendance.

From the Boss
"That was a tremendous win for our team. It required a championship effort and I think tonight we got it. We did all the little things you have to do to win a game. I thought our defensive pressure was outstanding, but I also thought we were crisper in possession, particularly in the first half. I was very proud of the way our team played today. That Akron team might be the best 0-4 team in the history of college soccer. They'll be a contender as the year progresses." – Sasho Cirovski

From the Boys
"During the celebration I told him [Eric Matzelevich], 'we've been working on that all summer'. Us local guys didn't play summer league, so we were just at the practice field. I watched him take that shot every day. I'll pass it to him and he shoots it. That's what I told him during the celebration, how it reminded me of the summer." – Ben Di Rosa

Up Next
Maryland takes on Villanova at 7 p.m. at Ludwig Field on Monday night. The match will be streamed live on BTN Plus and fans can also listen live on WMUC.