Stephane Njike has had a memorable first season with No. 8 Maryland men’s soccer. The LIU transfer has quickly become a fan favorite with his quick pace and acrobatic goal celebrations, backflipping across the pitch.
His impact was once again notable Tuesday night against No. 13 Rutgers. After dominating the first half, the Terps finally broke through. Joseph Umberto Picotto played a dangerous ball across the face of the goal in the 56 minute, and Njike roofed it into the top netting, adding another
score to his team-high goal tally.
Four minutes later, Njike returned the favor to Umberto Picotto. The sophomore winger swung the ball into the box off a free kick, and Umberto Picotto buried the rebound for his first goal at Maryland.
In a battle between two of the top teams in the Big Ten, Maryland prevailed. Njike’s fifth goal of the season started the scoring in the Terps’ 2-0 victory. The Terps dominated possession throughout the affair.
Laurin Mack wasn’t tested much over the previous two games, totalling five saves and a pair of clean sheets. But the Scarlet Knights created a few dangerous chances within the first 12 minutes.
Rutgers’ best chance of the night came in the 11th minute. Mack pushed away a close-range header from defender Nick Collins off a corner. After that, the Terps’ typically stout defense settled in, only requiring five saves from Mack.
Albi Ndrenika fired Maryland’s first shot in the 12th minute off a bouncing ball outside the box. The senior midfielder — who typically plays a more advanced role in the Terps’ midfield trio — took one touch and sent it right at Scarlet Knights goalie Ciaran Dalton.
Back on Sept. 23, Lasse Kelp scored Maryland’s game-tying goal off a free kick. He delivered a dangerous set piece in the 17th minute against Rutgers, but the ball bounced off the near post.
The Terps continued their relentless attacking pressure, with waves of attacks crashing down on Dalton. However, only two of Maryland’s seven first-half shots were on goal.
Maryland has been a second half team in 2025, with 20 of its 28 goals — including all five goals against ranked opponents — coming in the final 45 minutes.
After Njike opened the scoring in the 55th minute, the floodgates quickly opened. Njike delivered an inswinging free kick, which Tristen Rose redirected towards goal. While Rose’s effort was denied, Umberto Picotto buried the rebound to double Maryland’s advantage.
But Rutgers didn’t go down without putting up a fight.
The Scarlet Knights created a few chances in the second half, including a one-on-one with forward Joshua Jerome just after the break. Mack came off his line and closed off all the angles for a critical stop to keep the game scoreless.
While Rutgers generated eight shots in the second half — most of which coming in the waning moments — Mack was equal to a number of them. The Scarlet Knights entered with the fourth-most goals in the Big Ten, but were shutout for the second time in three games.
Three things to know
1. Sasho Cirovski’s birthday victory. Maryland doesn’t schedule many games on Oct. 14, in large part due to requests from Cirovski. The veteran head coach doesn’t like playing games on his birthday and isn’t big into celebrating it. But the Terps are now 8-3-2 on his birthday, securing his first victory on the day since 2016.
2. Mack comes up clutch. While the sophomore goalkeeper may not have the most jaw-dropping stats — particularly because the defense in front of him is strong — Mack always makes the timely save when Maryland needs him to. The Terps posted their sixth shutout of the season, and third straight, adding to the Big Ten’s top defense.
3. Ranked wins pile up. Heading into the weekend, Maryland was tasked with overcoming its toughest two-game slate of the season. The Terps passed both tests with flying colors. A pair of 2-0 victories over then-No. 13 Michigan and current No. 13 Rutgers have vaulted Maryland to the top of the Big Ten standings.
