Maryland men’s soccer falters down the stretch in 2-2 draw with No. 19 Michigan State

Maryland found itself with the lead as the match approached the 80th minute. Michigan State was on upset watch as it tried to completely erase what was a two-goal deficit.

The Spartans, down one, raced into the box as Jeremy Sharp prepared to deliver the cross into the box. The pass soared into the center of the box, meeting the head of Jonathan Stout, who sent the ball for the far post. 

Mikah Seger lunged at the ball, but the header found the side netting for a goal as the score was knotted even. The Terps blew a two-goal lead.

“Fatigue set in and as the momentum shifted, we looked like we lost our legs a little bit,” coach Sasho Cirovski said.  

Stout’s score saved the Spartans’ unbeaten record as Maryland men’s soccer (3-6-3, 0-4-2 Big Ten) drawed with No. 19 Michigan State (6-0-6, 2-0-4 Big Ten), 2-2.

Going in as underdogs in East Lansing, the Maryland offense made a statement early in this one: It is still hot.

After a six-goal performance versus Villanova, the Terps wasted no time getting on the board as Kento Abe delivered a perfect cross into the box to Luke Van Heukelum for a header. The ball struck the crossbar before dropping in for the game’s first goal not even 90 seconds in.

Maryland’s early offensive dominance continued in the 17th minute. Kimani Stewart-Baynes made a great move on the left wing to get by his defender, opening up a window along the endline. Stewart-Baynes tried a shot from a tough angle, forcing a save that bounced right to the foot of Max Riley, who controlled the ball and slotted home the shot for a 2-0 lead.

The Terps’ offense slowed down after the quick start. They recorded only six more shots the rest of the way.

On the other side of the ball, Maryland’s defense looked much improved from a game ago over the first 45 minutes. After giving up three first-half goals to Villanova, the Terps held the Spartans scoreless in the first half, holding onto their lead comfortably. 

Michigan State only logged one shot on goal in the half, which was sent right at Seger for a comfortable save. But the Spartans came out with a new sense of urgency after halftime.

They generated multiple set piece chances in the first ten minutes, forcing Seger to do plenty of work in the cage as he defended a couple dangerous shots. None of Michigan State’s chances inside Maryland’s box resulted with the ball in the back of the net, as its defense bent but didn’t break on the set pieces.  

That could only last for so long.

Jake Spadafora received a great pass from Jack Zugay and charged into the Terps’ box with defenders right on his tail. Spadafora beat all the defenders, avoiding a slide tackle from Luca Costabile before sending the ball past Seger to cut the lead in half. 

Maryland, instantly sensing some urgency after a poor start to the second half, began time-wasting and dropping nearly everyone back to put itself in the best position for victory.

But the strategic change didn’t prove successful. Stout’s 77th minute goal tied the match at two, stunning the Terps. 

Michigan State started an onslaught on the Maryland back line over the remaining 13 minutes, dominating possession with multiple chances inside the box. Maryland somehow held on defensively, securing a tie.

“We just weren’t able to have any sustained possession the second half,” Cirovski said. “We were forced to defend almost the entire half and you have to give credit to Michigan State to find a way to get a couple of goals.”

While the Terps avoided a loss, the draw was bittersweet. They led for 75 minutes of the match yet couldn’t pull off the win.