Maryland men’s soccer dominates in 5-2 over Detroit

Photo Courtesy of Allison Mize/Maryland Terrapins

William Kulvik isn’t used to scoring goals as a defender. But the center-back couldn’t pass up the opportunity to launch a shot toward the net in the 13th minute when he looked up and saw Detroit Mercy goalie Quinn Tews off his line. Kulvik rocketed a strike and caught Tews out, lifting the ball over his head for a magical goal. 

Maryland men’s soccer dominated Detroit Mercy, 5-2, to earn its first victory of the year. The Terps bounced back in a much-needed performance with their showdown against Virginia looming on Monday. 

“I heard the bench call that the goalie was far off his line and then I saw the opportunity,” Kulvik. “One time I didn’t take it and then next time I got the ball from Chris, I looked up and he was standing on his own 18 yard box. And kind of just went for it, and luckily, it went in.”

Maryland’s attack came into the match struggling as a unit with only one goal from two games. But the Terps turned their offense around with an explosive first half.  

Maryland bombarded the Titans’ backline with thirteen shots and four goals, the most Terps’ scores in a first half since they netted four against Duquesne in September 2009. Luke Van Heukelum accounted for four shots himself as he used his blistering pace to often run past the opposing backline. 

The Terps’ dominant attack got going early highlighted by a Van Heukelum header that forced a save from keeper Quinn Tews. 

Maryland continued to pile on the pressure and soon found a breakthrough with Kulvik’s halfway-line stunner. 

Detroit Mercy’s defense looked shaken after the surprise goal and conceded a flurry of chances in the next 10 minutes. Kulvik’s brilliant night continued just three minutes later when he scored a header off a corner from Max Rogers. The senior’s hasty brace doubled his career goals in a matter of minutes.

“Once you get one goal, you get hungry, and you kind of have blood in your mouth, you taste the blood,” said Kulvik. “And I love how our offense got after it, after I hit that first goal.” 

Maryland didn’t let up as Sadam Masereka found himself in space on the right-hand side in the 20th minute and assisted Van Heukelum with a pinpoint pass to make it 3-0. 

After struggling to challenge on set pieces in their first two games, the Terps looked far more dangerous from free kicks and corners. In the 38th minute, Gerber Cameron fired a powerful free kick towards the left corner, forcing Tews to push the ball onto the post. 

The Terps’ speed was a weapon that allowed them to run past the Titans’ backline for several breakaways. Luca Costabile lifted a ball over the top in the 45th minute that Albi Ndrenika controlled with a perfect first touch and slipped past the keeper to effectively put the game away after one half. 

This match was Ndrenika’s first in 649 days as he finally returned after a long injury spell. Max Riley also appeared in his first match this season as Maryland inched closer to full strength after several players were injured or ineligible to start the season. 

“This past year hasn’t been easy, but I’ve had the best support around me, so that made the world of difference,” Ndrenika said. “Getting back here, I was only told 10 minutes, so I was trying to make the most of it. First touch kind of came weird, had to adjust, but in that moment, I blacked out on the goal and just like, get the shot off.” 

The second half featured more of the same from Maryland’s potent offense. Max Riley played a pass to Matias de Jesus for another breakaway. De Jesus clipped his shot off the post, but it bounced back into the goal to extend the lead to 5-0.

The Terps used the second half to get players like Dalton Hass and new addition Cristiano Fitzgerald their first minutes of the season. 

Detroit Mercy didn’t create many offensive chances but the Titans got two goals back late. In the 77th minute, the ball bounced to an open Casey McCarthy in the box who buried his shot for a goal. 

Drew Pierson played a great through ball to Guershom Sylvain in the 88th minute who scored to cut the lead to three, but the Terps closed out the match to claim the victory. 

Maryland will return to Ludwig Field on Monday to face No. 13 Virginia. 

“Obviously a big challenge on Monday against a very good Virginia team,” coach Sasho Cirovski said. “I still think that the Maryland Virginia soccer game is the greatest rivalry in college soccer.”