For just the second time since 1969, No. 1-seed Maryland men’s soccer is undefeated heading into postseason play. The Terps capped off their magical regular season with a Big Ten title on Friday, defeating
Michigan State, 4-3.
The nation’s second-best attack fired 17 shots and directed 10 of them towards Michigan State goalie Zac Kelly. While he managed to make six saves, Maryland still found the back of the net four times — its third four-goal performance during conference play.
Despite 15 different players netting a goal this season, Stephane Njike and Sadam Masereka have emerged as the Terps’ most consistent attackers against Big Ten opposition. It was Masereka that took over Friday’s contest, becoming the first player since 2017 to post a first-half hattrick — and doing so in just a 10-minute span. Njike contributed the fourth goal.
But Maryland’s defense has had a pair of poor performances recently. After securing four straight clean sheets, the Terps have had lapses against then-No. 14 Indiana and Michigan State, allowing five combined goals. Maryland held then-No. 14 Washington scoreless in between.
With the Terps finishing the regular season atop the standings, they will host No. 4-seed UCLA in the Big Ten Tournament semifinals on Wednesday. That game begins at 7 p.m. and will air on Big Ten Network.
What happened last time
Maryland and UCLA met on Oct. 3 in the early stages of conference play. In the Terps’ lone trip out west, travel fatigue resulted in their worst performance of the season.
After a sloppy start — a common occurrence for Maryland on the road this year — the Terps settled into the game and looked the better side in the opening half. Maryland created six first-half chances, but only threatened the frame just once.
Stephane Njike’s 37th-minute shot was one of the Terps’ two shots on goal in the match, and it forced UCLA goalkeeper Kevin Box into a stellar diving stop. While Maryland controlled the possession for much of the opening 45 minutes, it couldn’t turn that into any sustained pressure.
The Terps lacked a final product in the attacking third, delivering several crosses from out wide that never connected with the intended target in the box. Maryland couldn’t break through UCLA’s stout backline, resulting in a scoreless first-half performance.
Nothing really changed out of the break.
Despite firing six shots in the second half, the Bruins were the more dangerous team in the final 45 minutes. But Lasse Kelp and Tristen Rose routinely made crucial interventions to keep UCLA off the scoreboard, including a timely slide tackle to erase a one-on-one with Laurin Mack.
While Maryland produced only two shots on frame — its lowest output of the season to date — it was held off the scoresheet for the only time in the regular season. But the Terps’ defense outdid UCLA’s attack, holding it without a shot on target.
What’s happened since
Maryland has caught fire since that meeting, rattling off seven straight victories against some quality opposition. The Terps took down four ranked opponents in five games, highlighted by a 1-0 victory over then-No. 14 Washington to vault themselves into first place in the standings.
A key during this stretch has been Maryland’s defense. The Terps’ performance against UCLA started a run of four straight shutouts, which extended to over 400 minutes. Maryland has only allowed 12 goals on the season, nine during Big Ten play.
Backed by some dominant victories throughout the Terps’ seven-game winning streak, they have quickly climbed to No. 1 in the country. Maryland has the third-best RPI, behind No. 3 Princeton and No. 4 Virginia.
On the other side, UCLA struggled to stack performances after a 2-0 victory over Penn State. The Bruins were held scoreless against then-No. 16 Michigan and Michigan State, totaling just one point in those two games.
But UCLA’s resurgent offense has fueled it to three straight victories to cap off the regular season. Fourteen goals across the winning streak have resulted in a pair of commanding wins against Rutgers and No. 15 Washington.
The Bruins are playing their best soccer of the season heading into the Big Ten Tournament. Still, they will have its work cut out if they hope to extend their season to the NCAA Tournament. UCLA will likely have to win both games in the conference tournament, a tall feat with a pair of ranked teams blocking its path.
Three things to watch
1. Redemption. After churning out arguably its most uninspiring performance of the season in the first meeting, Maryland will have a chance to avenge one of its two Big Ten draws. Home soil and the Terps’ electric fanbase will play a big role in their quest for an eighth straight victory.
2. Postseason journey begins. While Maryland is one of two unbeaten teams remaining in the country heading into the conference tournament, records get tossed out the window in the postseason. The Terps will need to continue their momentum and avoid upsets going forward if it hopes to bring more hardware back to College Park.
3. Strong play up front. Maryland’s forward pairing of Masereka and Njike has been one of the best duos in the country this season. The two international products have combined for 16 of the Terps’ 40 goals and threatened for more. If Masereka and Njike pose a threat to UCLA’s backline, Maryland will likely be in for another potent offensive showing.
