No. 4 Maryland men’s soccer’s offense often circulates through the left flank, with Luca Costabile and Stephane Njike linking up in the attacking half. The duo creates waves of pressure with relentless
crosses into the box, totaling six goals and five assists on the season.
That rang true in Friday’s top-15 conference clash against No. 14 Indiana.
In the 13th minute, with Njike dropped back into a defensive role for a moment, Costabile had acres of space to operate on the wing. The left back drifted into a pocket of space between two Hoosiers and received a sharp pass from Albi Ndrenika. Costabile quickly rotated his body and roofed a shot through the hands of Indiana goalie Judewellin Michel.
His second goal of the year sent Maryland in front early on. The Terps never relinquished the lead, passing their toughest test of the regular season yet, 3-2, over the Hoosiers.
But Njike outdid Costabile’s minutes into the second half.
The speedy right winger cut inside onto his preferred right foot and picked up his head. Njike spotted Sadam Masereka making a decisive run behind the Hoosiers’ backline and played an inch-perfect pass. With just the goalkeeper in front of him, Masereka slotted the ball into the top corner to double the Terps’ advantage.
While Maryland took a 2-0 lead in the 57th minute, the game remained relatively even throughout. But that was expected.
Fans and students poured into Ludwig Field for the highly-anticipated clash between two national powerhouses. The matchup didn’t disappoint. In front of a 5,580-person crowd — the largest turnout since the Terps’ 2018 game against Wisconsin — Maryland displayed its offensive firepower.
The Terps entered the match with the second-most goals per game in the country (2.7). Despite taking some time to grow into Friday’s contest, Maryland created numerous quality chances.
Njike sent a right-footed curling effort to the far post in the 13th minute, but Michel pushed it away. That was one of 10 shots the Terps had in the opening 45 minutes, forcing three first-half saves.
After Maryland took a one-goal lead into the break, Njike fueled its offense in the second. The sophomore displayed his beautiful passing in the 55th minute and found himself on the scoresheet with Indiana clawing back within a goal.
.
In the 74th minute, Ndrenika played Njike through on goal. With Michel rapidly closing from his net, Njike opted to chip the goalie for his team-high sixth goal of the season.
While Maryland’s offense has been electric, the key storyline heading into the game centered around the matchup between center back Lasse Kelp and Indiana forward Palmer Ault. The Butler transfer entered the contest second in the nation with 14 goals, doubling the next closest Big Ten player.
Kelp and Tristen Rose had limited some of the conference’s top attackers during their run of four straight games without allowing a goal, but Ault presented a different challenge. His constant presence around the box left defenders worried for 90 minutes.
The center back pairing shadowed Ault all night long, limiting him without a goal or assist for 80 minutes. While Ault struck in the waning moments, Maryland held on despite some nervy moments.
Three things to know
1. Fourth ranked win. While the Terps dominated their first three top-25 opponents, Friday’s contest was the closest they’ve gotten to dropping a point since early on in Big Ten play. Maryland conceded its first two goals in over 400 minutes, but held on for the victory.
2. Costabile’s versatility. The left back is tasked with roaming up and down the left side of the pitch. Despite being on the wrong end of a reckless challenge — which left him on the ground for a couple minutes in pain — Costabile produced the Terps’ opening goal.
3. Physical game. The rivalry between these two sides has resulted in some very chippy games. Friday night was no different. Kelp and Ault got into a physical altercation in the second half after the Indiana forward pushed him to the ground. Words were exchanged following the conclusion of the game.
