Maryland men’s soccer displayed its best 45 minutes since climbing to No. 2 nationally last season. In front of a hostile road crowd, the Terps took a 1-0 lead into the break against No. 6 Wake Forest Thursday night.
But Winston-Salem weather had other ideas. Storms lingered around the area while both teams remained in their respective locker rooms. Officials and team personnel attempted to wait it out, hoping for clearer skies to emerge. Eventually, with no signs of the stormy weather letting up,
the game was cancelled.
The contest will not be continued at a later date. Instead, it will be declared a no-contest and the scoreline will be erased.
The trip down to Spry Stadium has not been a friendly one for Maryland in some time. Dating back to their ACC rivalry days, the Terps have traveled to Wake Forest 19 times. They’ve won just six of those meetings — the last coming in 2006.
Already shorthanded without midfielder Leon Koehl and forward Colin Griffith — who combined for 13 of Maryland’s 33 goals last season — securing the season-opening win was always going to be a tall task for a retooled lineup.
However, the Terps received a moment of brilliance from forward Sadam Masereka in the eighth minute. Midfielder Joseph Umberto Picotto delivered an inviting cross to the back post. Standing there was Masereka, who headed the ball back across the frame and bounced into the back of the net.
The biggest question mark surrounding Maryland was what its new-look back line would look like with a pair of new faces making their team debut. Alongside returners Luca Costabile and Jace Clark, Lasse Kelp and Tristen Rose eased those concerns.
It was a promising performance from a unit that was seemingly in shambles after a shaky 2024 campaign.
Sophomore goalkeeper Lauren Mack faced just one shot on frame, and he comfortably handled the chance.
The Terps will return to action on Monday against No. 25 Georgetown in a DMV clash between two familiar foes. Maryland aims to build off its first-half performance and register its opening win of the season.
