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University of Maryland Athletics

Sadam Masereka
1
Michigan St. MSU (4-5-2, 3-2-0)
2
Winner Maryland UMD (6-1-4, 4-0-1)
Michigan St. MSU
(4-5-2, 3-2-0)
1
Final
2
Maryland UMD
(6-1-4, 4-0-1)
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Michigan St. MSU 0 1 1
Maryland UMD 0 2 2

Game Recap: Men's Soccer |

Masereka’s Go-Ahead Goal Leads No. 12 Terps To Win Over Spartans, 2-1

COLLEGE PARK, MD – Junior forward Sadam Masereka scored the go-ahead goal in the 82nd minute as No. 12 Maryland men's soccer defeated Michigan State on Saturday at Ludwig Field. Maryland advanced to 6-1-4 overall and 4-0-1 in Big Ten play.

The Terps are the only undefeated Big Ten team in conference play to have played five conference games. They took sole possession of first place. They are also undefeated in their last nine games, going 6-0-3 in that span. 

Max Rogers and Albi Ndrenika assisted Masereka's goal. It was also his first career goal in a Maryland uniform since transferring from Lindsay Wilson at the NAIA level. 
  Maryland scored the equalizer in the 73rd minute with a goal by junior forward Colin Griffith. Ndrenika assisted the goal, giving Griffith goals in three-straight contests. The streak surpassed his two-game streak of scoring goals in 2022 against Northwestern and Indiana and earlier this year against San Diego State and Wisconsin. 

Griffith's goal was also his team-leading fifth of the year. All of his goals have been scored in Maryland's last six games. 

The Spartans spoiled the stalemate with the game's first goal in the 59th minute. The ball was headed into the back of the net off a corner kick. The Terps dominated possession before the goal, beginning the second half with the first four shots and two corner-kick opportunities.

The match's first half was a defensive battle in the first half. There were a combined five shots, two of which landed on goal. However, the Terps held slight advantages in shots and corner kicks. 

Freshman goalkeeper Laurin Mack made four saves, upping his total through 10 games to 27 saves. 

Michigan State sits at 4-5-2 overall and 3-2 in Big Ten matches.  Cirovski's Take
"I'm very proud of our team tonight," head coach Sasho Cirovki said. We played a very good Michigan State team. "When we went down, we were challenged, and our guys responded like champions and that bodes well for the type of team that we are becoming, the identity that we're starting to form. I was happy with the win, I thought overall our guys played well and earned three points tonight."

Sadam Masereka On Scoring His First Goal As A Terp
"Obviously it means a lot for me, because we came here to try and change what happened from last season to strengthen our team. The coaches have a lot of expectations in me, I had to get this one and it was very important for me as well."

The XI Breaking Down The Action
  • Michigan State had its first shot on goal, saved by Laurin Mack in the third minute.
  • In the ninth minute, the Spartans nearly scored off a giveaway, resulting in a shot just wide right of the net.
  • Maryland's first shot of the game was in the 13th minute, and it nearly missed the top of the net.
  • Colin Griffith nearly headed in the game's first goal, but Michigan State's goalkeeper saved it in the 30th minute. 
  • The Terps had a prime opportunity off two possessions in the 50th and 51st minute that nearly gave them the lead.
  • The Spartans scored the first goal of the game in the 59th minute.
  • Maryland gained a free-kick opportunity in the 67th minute, which the Spartans goalkeeper saved. 
  • Griffith tied the match up at 1-1 in the 73rd minute with a beautiful shot to the top right side of the net. 
  • Sadam Masereka gave Maryland its first lead of the night in the 82nd minute after receiving a lovely cross inside the box to put the ball in the top left. 
Numbers To Know
  • 1: Maryland has sole possession of first place in the Big Ten.
  • 1: Sadam Masereka scored his first goal in his Maryland career.
  • 2: Albi Ndrenika had a team-leading two assists on the night.
  • 3: Colin Griffith scored in his third straight game, which is his longest-scoring streak. 
  • 5: Griffith scored his team-leading fifth goal in 2024. All of his goals occurred in the last six games.
  • 5: The Terps are the only unbeaten Big Ten team through five conference matches. 
  • 6: Laurin Mack is now tied for the most wins in the net for the Big Ten Conference.
  • 6: Max Rogers leads the Terps with six assists.
  • 8: Griffith has eight goals in his career.  
  • 8: The Terps picked up their eighth victory in the all-time series against Michigan State.
  • 9: Maryland is undefeated in its last nine games, going 6-0-3 in that span.  
  • 27: Mack now has 27 saves through 10 games.
Up Next
  • The Terps will travel to Husky Soccer Stadium on Oct. 11 to play Washington, a newly added Big Ten opponent. The match will start at 10 p.m. ET and air on Big Ten Plus. 
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