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University of Maryland Athletics

Luca Costabile clears ball out of defensive half
2
Winner Maryland UMD (5-1-3, 3-0-0)
1
Northwestern NU (5-4-0, 0-3-0)
Winner
Maryland UMD
(5-1-3, 3-0-0)
2
Final
1
Northwestern NU
(5-4-0, 0-3-0)
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Maryland UMD 2 0 2
Northwestern NU 0 1 1

Game Recap: Men's Soccer |

No. 19 Maryland Nets 2-1 Win Over Northwestern, Sets Best Start in Big Ten Play

EVANSTON, IL -- No. 19 Maryland men's soccer picked up its third consecutive win to start Big Ten play as the Terps defeated Northwestern 2-1 on a windy Friday night at Martin Stadium. It marks the first time the Terps have won their first three games to start Big Ten play ever, moving to 3-0 and 5-1-3 overall. This marks the best start to conference play for the Terrapins since the 2012 season, when the Terps began ACC play with six consecutive victories to start conference play. 

With the win, the Terps unbeaten run moves to seven-straight games, with a record of 5-0-2. The last such unbeaten run came back in 2022, when the Terps went unbeaten in eight games (6-0-2).

Leon Koehl got the scoring started for the Terps in the 12th minute. Colin Griffith beat the Northwestern defender, who took down the forward in the box to give the Terps the penalty opportunity. Like he has done before, Koehl buried the effort from the spot to put the Terps up 1-0. For Koehl, it makes the sophomore 4-for-4 from the spot early in the season. Koehl's four PK goals is the most for a Terp since Malcolm Johnston, who had four for Maryland during the 2022 season.
  The next opportunity for the Terps came just five minutes later. Griffith found himself free in the box after a back heel pass from Luca Costabile, finishing the chance to double the lead for the Terps to 2-0. The goal for Griffith was his third of the season, which equaled his career-high from the 2022 season.
Northwestern outshot Maryland 4-3 in the first half, but all four shots were blocked by the Maryland backline. Laurin Mack didn't make his first save until the second half, just after halftime in the 46th minute, stopping a shot at the bottom left corner of the net.

Northwestern got its only goal of the match in the 64th minute, as Christopher Thaggard scored on a free kick. The goal cut the score to 2-1 and came on a double assist from Luke Shriner and Collin McCamy. 

Coach Cirovski's Take
"Very proud of the guys with the effort, particularly in the first half of creating a number of good chances and getting the two goals. We knew the second half would be very difficult and we would have to absorb some pressure and make some plays in our box defending. I felt we did just that. Another great result on the road and I'm very pleased with the overall effort."

The XI
Breaking Down The Action
  • Griffith cut into the box and got pulled down resulting in a penalty kick opportunity for Maryland. Leon Koehl finished the opportunity for his fourth PK goal of the season.
  • Just five minutes later, Colin Griffith found himself in the box after a backheel pass by Luca Costabile to double the Terps lead.
  • Sadam Masereka got an opportunity in the 25th minute, but his effort was saved by Northwestern keeper Rafael Ponce de Leon.
  • Northwestern got a chance in the 46th minute, but Laurin Mack was equal to the shot for his first save of the game.
  • Northwestern's Christopher Thaggard pulled one back for the Wildcats in the 64th minute to make it a 2-1 score.
  • The Terps withstood Northwestern's late push with a pair of shots in the final three minutes - neither of which found the back of the net. 

Numbers To Know
  • 3: The Terps are 3-0 to start Big Ten play for the first time in history. 
  • 3: Colin Griffith scored his third goal of the season, tying his career-high from the 2022 season.
  • 4: Leon Koehl buried his fourth penalty kick of the season, tying Malcolm Johnston who knocked in four penalty kick goals in 2022. 
  • 7: The Terps are unbeaten in their last seven games at 5-0-2 overall. 
  • 21: Mack has 21 saves in eight games this season. 
  • 60: Alex Nitzl played in his 60th game at Maryland

Up Next
  • The Terps return home for the first of two home conference matches, hosting Penn State on Oct. 1. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. and the game will be broadcast on Big Ten Network
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