COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The No. 21 Maryland men's soccer team got goals from freshmen Joe Suchecki and Jacen Russell-Rowe, but couldn't overcome a 3-0 Penn State first half lead in a 3-2 loss at Holuba Hall Friday night.

The XI
Jamie Lowell (GK)
Isaac Ngobu (LB), Nick Richardson (LCB), Brett St. Martin (RCB), Ben Di Rosa (RB)
Malcolm Johnston (MF), Ben Bender (MF), Brayan Padilla (MF)
Paul Bin (F), Jacen Russell-Rowe (F), Justin Gielen (F).

View From the Stream

• A difficult opening 30 minutes for the Terps proved to be the difference in an offensive affair in State College. Maryland showed toughness to fight back within a goal, but dropped points in the opener for both sides. 
• The Nittany Lions had control of the early running and cashed in their advantage with a goal from Andrew Privett in the sixth minute. 
• Maryland did have a chance to level proceedings in the 19th minute. Russell-Rowe got behind the backline and onto a pretty ball over the top from Nick Richardson and was hauled down by Penn State's Brandon Hackenberg in the box. Brayan Padilla missed the subsequent spot kick with his left-footed attempt going outside of the left post. 
• The home side doubled their advantage in the 26th minute in a beautiful strike from Pierre Reedy. The 25-yard effort curled into the perfectly upper right corner. It was a top class effort. 
• Penn State jumped on a Terrapin giveaway for their third tally, which was finished by Peter Mangione from close range in the 35th minute.
• Maryland did find a foothold before the interval. This time Mike Heitzmann was brought down in the box to draw the penalty kick. Joe Suchecki rolled the ball past Penn State keeper to open his Maryland account. 
• The Terps were the better of the two sides in the second half, but were unable to climb all the way back. 
• Russell-Rowe brought the Terps back within a goal with a screamer from 30 yards out. The Canadian split a pair of defenders and unleashed a right-footed shot that flew past Shakes. A world class effort from the freshman. 
• Maryland pressed the game after the goal but never found the big chance they needed to tie it.
• Russell-Rowe impressed throughout with his movement and instincts as a No. 9 outside of his goal. Fellow freshman field players Suchecki and Ben Bender also showed well, with Suchecki providing some stability in the Terps midfield with Malcolm Johnston. Bender looks the part of a play maker and had excellent moments pulling the strings in the center of the park. 
• Lowell's second half was praised by his head coach following the contest. The New Hampshire native made six saves and showed improved command of his area as the game went on. 
• Sophomore Chris Rindov gave the Terps a solid shift at right back after entering in the first half as the Terps look to find their best back line combination. Brett St. Martin and Nick Richadson recovered from a shaky first 30 minutes and found chemistry while Ben Di Rosa flipped over to left back and steadied that spot. 

From The Boss
"We thought tonight would be a difficult challenge and obviously we got off to a rough start. I thought we played a little to slow and into their pressure. It put us in a hole. In the second half I thought we were a different team. We played much faster. We put a lot more pressure on them. At the end of the day, I feel like we could have tied this game or even won it. You have to give Penn State credit. They got the result. It's one game under our belt and I thought there were very big positives. - Sasho Cirovski on the match

From The Boys
"They were excellent. We know how special those kids are. It was just a matter of time before they did their thing. I think they were our best three players tonight. Jacen smacked in a great goal, Ben was running the show in the midfield and Joe came in and changed the game and gave us something we needed in the game. The three of them were top notch. - Paul Bin on Ben Bender, Joe Suchecki and Jacen Russell-Rowe 

Up Next
Maryland returns home to Ludwig Field Saturday, Jan. 27 to take on Ohio State in their home opener.