Maryland men’s soccer hopes to carry momentum from upset win into home matchup vs. Bucknell

Maryland’s men’s soccer (1-0-0) will host the Bucknell Bisons (2-0-0) in their first home game of the season on Friday at 7:30 p.m. This is the first time the teams have met since 2006, when Maryland won 4-1. The Terps have an advantage against the Bisons with a series record of  3-1. Both teams are undefeated so far this season.

On Monday night, Maryland defeated No. 25 Georgetown (0-2-0) 1-0 in Washington, D.C., during their first official game of the season. In the 64th minute, senior forward Sadam Masereka took possession of a ball downfield that the Hoyas could not keep hold of and netted the first and only goal of the match. 

Maryland struggled to find its rhythm and keep hold of the ball early in the first half, but by the 21st minute, the Terps began to control the ball, using their stingy defense to defeat Georgetown.

One of the Hoyas’ closest chances to a goal came halfway through the first half. Midfielder Zach Zengue was aiming for a goal but was stopped by Masereka, who peeled back and corralled the ball back into the Terps’ possession. 

Maryland’s solid defense also helped them win this first match of the season. Sophomore goalkeeper Laurin Mack recorded six saves during Monday’s upset win. Mack sported a .658 save percentage and notched three shutouts en route to being named to the Big Ten All-Freshman team last season.

“[Mack] made some terrific saves, we had very good box defending and we got the first goal,” coach Sasho Cirvoski said. “He was the man of the match because he managed the game very well, his distribution was very good, but also he made the key saves.”

Bucknell defeated No. 23 Hofstra 2-1 on the road in its season opener on Aug. 21, then beat St. Bonaventure 3-2 three days later. The Bisons won both of their matches with goals late in the game.

During Bucknell’s season opener, junior Jack Lucas scored an unassisted goal in the 75th minute, which allowed the Bisons to defeat the Pride. 

Nearing the end of regulation at 2-2, junior Jakub Samelko scored the decisive goal in the 88th minute to push the Bison past St. Bonaventure. This marked the forward’s first career goal and freshman Nate Coughlin’s first collegiate assist. 

Throughout their first two matches, the Bisons have outshot opponents 33-25 with 13 shots on target. Bucknell has also remained on the attacking front, where it has scored four out of its five goals from outside the 18-yard box.

Bucknell’s senior goalkeeper Freddie Lapworth is a stalwart for the team’s defense. He recorded eight shutouts and held a .722 save percentage last season.

Lapworth was named the Preseason Patriot League Goalkeeper of the Year after being named the conference’s Goalkeeper of the Year in 2024. Lapworth was also named one of the nine goalkeepers to the United Soccer Coaches Goalkeepers to Watch List. 

Last season, Bucknell was one of the Patriot League’s elite defensive sides, allowing five goals in nine conference games. 

The Patriot League Tournament winners’ lack of scoring proved to be their downfall, though.

They had just a .950 goals per game average, ranking last in the Patriot League, despite placing first with 210 shots and third with 82 shots on goal. Bucknell finished the year 7-7-6 and was eliminated by Providence in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.