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University of Maryland Athletics

Colin Griffith
1
New Hampshire UNH (0-1-0, 0-0-0)
2
Winner Maryland UMD (1-0-0, 0-0-0)
New Hampshire UNH
(0-1-0, 0-0-0)
1
Final
2
Maryland UMD
(1-0-0, 0-0-0)
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
New Hampshire UNH 0 1 1
Maryland UMD 1 1 2

Game Recap: Men's Soccer |

No. 20 Terps Defeat No. 9 New Hampshire In Season Opener, 2-1

COLLEGE PARK, MD – Making his collegiate debut, Colin Griffith scored the decisive goal as No. 20 Maryland bested No. 9 New Hampshire 2-1 on Thursday night at Ludwig Field in the season opener. 

Hunter George scored on a volley in front of the net in the 14th minute to put the Terrapins up 1-0. Nick Richardson crossed a ball to the back post that Griffin Dillon head back into the center. George deftly finished with a first-time right-footed volley. 

Griffith added his goal in the 75th minute, but Bilal Kamal answered eight minutes later for the Wildcats. Griffin's goal was a tap in from close range after a low driven cross from Joshua Bolma. 

The Terrapin defense held for the final seven minutes and handed New Hampshire its first regular season loss since Nov. 1, 2019. 

The XI

Niklas Neumann (GK)
Luca Costabile (LB), Chris Rindov (LCB), William Kulvik (RCB), Nick Richardson (RB)
Alex Nitzl (MF), Malcolm Johnston (MF), Joshua Bolma (MF), 
Griffin Dillon (F), German Giammattei (F), Hunter George (F) 

Sasho's Take

"I'm absolutely delighted with the performance and the result tonight. That was a national contender in New Hampshire. I think we came out and we were on the front foot from beginning to end...I must commend our guys for the resilience and maturity they showed in a very difficult and physical game."

Player's Perspective

"This feels really good," George said. "It's early so we've got to keep our heads down and keep working, but we couldn't have asked for a better performance against a really good team in our first game." 

Breaking Down The Action
  • Griffin Dillon and Nick Richardson made key passes for assists on George's goal. 
  • Maryland kept the pressure on New Hampshire in the first period, putting four shots on goal and not allowing any from the Wildcats. 
  • Richardson and Griffith both had chances to score within seconds of each other in the 43rd minute, but Jassem Koleilat knocked Richardson's shot away and Griffith's flew over the net. 
  • The two teams played evenly for the first 25 minutes of the second period, each recording one shot. 
  • In the 75th minute, Griffith found the back of the net thanks to a beautiful find from Joshua Bolma. Alex Nitzl also had an assist on the play. 
  • Kamal answered in the 83rd minute, but the Maryland defense did not allow any further damage. 

Newbies Making A Mark
  • MLS NXT MVP Griffith, playing in his first collegiate match, scored his first goal. 
  • Freshman Luca Costabile played all 45 minutes of the first half and 73 minutes total. 
  • Transfers German Giammattei (Amherst College) and Stefan Copetti (Marist) also made their Terp debuts. Copetti recorded two shots. 

Notable Numbers
  • 5: The number of shots on goal the Terps recorded, compared to New Hampshire's one. 
  • 20: The number of years The Crew, the program's student supporters, has been in effect. The Sept. 2 match against Denver will serve as the "20 Seasons of The Crew" match.
  • 30: With this season opener, head coach Sasho Cirovski has officially been on the sidelines for 30 seasons. 

Up Next

Maryland hosts Liberty on Sunday at 7 pm at Ludwig Field.
 
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