Four different Terps scored in Maryland’s first win of the year.
Despite an underwhelming start to its 2024 campaign, Maryland men’s soccer head coach Sasho Cirovski’s confidence in his squad was unshaken entering a Friday night home game against Detroit Mercy.
“We played well in the first two matches of the year and weren’t rewarded, and it was important to reward our effort with a victory today,” Cirovski said.
It only took 13 minutes of the game for his team to reward his faith. Centerback and veteran leader William Kulvik caught Titans’ goalie Quinn Tews off his line, and from his own half, launched a chip that landed straight into the back of the net.
“I heard the bench call that the goalie was far off his line, then I saw the opportunity one time I didn’t take it,” Kulvik said. “The next time I got the ball from Chris [Steinleitner], I looked up and he was standing on his own 18-yard box and I just kind of went for it.”
From there, Maryland didn’t look back, scoring four more times and convincingly grabbing its first win of the season, 5-2.
Over the Terps’ first two games, questions swirled about whether they presented enough of an offensive threat to their opponents, finding just one goal against UMBC and Georgetown combined.
One way to find some answers is to squeeze two goals out of the starting centerback in the game’s opening 15 minutes. Kulvik notched his second score just two minutes after his first, heading a corner in at the back post.
Detroit Mercy wasn’t in for a break any time soon, either. It was an all-out Maryland onslaught for the first 45 minutes, as the Titans managed just one shot on goal in the half, which was dealt with ease by Maryland goalie Laurin Mack.
Defensively, Detroit Mercy’s backline seemed completely outmatched by Maryland’s speed. With 22 minutes remaining in the first half, Luke van Heukelum capitalized for his second goal this year.
Just when the Titans thought they could cut their losses and head into the break trailing 3-0, Albi Ndrenika had other ideas.
In his first game back from injury in 649 days, Ndrenika demonstrated a top-class first touch. He first brought a ball from Luca Costabile out of the air and onto his right foot at the top of the 18-yard box, then fired it into the bottom corner.
“Getting through this past year hasn’t been easy, but you know I have had the best support around me, it made a world of difference,” Ndrenika said. “Getting back here, I was only told 10 minutes, so I was trying to make the most of it.”
Maryland went into the break up 4-0, their largest halftime lead since 2009 against Duquesne.
Having created such a wide gap, it was hard to feel like the last 45 minutes were more than a formality. Still, Matias De Jesus wanted to join the party, and under 10 minutes into the second half, he got in behind the Titans’ defense and found the bottom corner for his first career goal.
The Terps ultimately outshot the Titans, 15-7, who showed some resiliency and dominated the last 20 minutes of play, finding two consolation goals.
Three things to know
1. Terps defeated a beatable opponent. While the game represented a huge step forward for Maryland, the Titans are likely the weakest opponent Maryland will face all year. They had already conceded five goals in a season-opening loss to Dayton.
2. Maryland is getting healthier. Ndrenika’s impact in his first game back was apparent. Max Riley also provided an assist in his return to the lineup. The Terps still await Bjarne Thiesen’s return to the squad and for Ndrenika and Riley to be back at full fitness.
3. Momentum heading into a big game. Maryland’s confidence should be at its apex after this game, which is convenient as it heads into a historic rivalry match against Virginia on Monday night.
“We always have to stay level-headed,” De Jesus said, “UVA is going to be a great team and it’s always a fun game against them, but definitely this momentum will impact us and really push us forward to be ready for this game.”