On a frigid afternoon in upstate New York, both sides searched for a go-ahead goal on the ice-covered pitch to send its team to the next round.
In the 84th minute, the Big Red found theirs.
Danny Lokko found the ball amidst a sea of black and white jerseys, sending a shot towards the top of the net, out of reach of goalkeeper Niklas Neumann. The sophomore forward followed his initial score up with another one just three minutes later, celebrating with his teammates as he crushed the hopes of the Terps faithful.
Albi Ndrenika scored in the 88th minute for the Terps, but it proved to be too-little-too-late as Maryland couldn’t find an equalizer in the final 90 seconds.
Lokko, who had scored one goal all season prior to Sunday, put No. 14-seed Cornell’s offense on his back with two late goals to lift the Big Red past Maryland men’s soccer in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, 2-1 — ending Maryland’s season.
Following its five-goal output against Fairleigh Dickinson that included two goals in the first 10 minutes, Maryland faced more resistance from Cornell’s defense.
The Terps failed to record a shot attempt until the 34th minute, while the Big Red saw two opportunities early on.
Both teams faced a feeling out process to begin the match with the temperature in the mid-20s and winds blazing.
Neumann faced heavy pressure from a Cornell offense tied for 22nd in the nation in total points. The senior goalkeeper made a leaping save in the 17th minute following a precise kick from midfielder Brandon Morales.
Maryland forward Max Riley saw the first opportunity for the Terps. A Nick RIchardson pass into the box led to a Riley header in the 34th minute, but the ball was routinely saved by Cornell goalkeeper Ryan Friedberg. That was the only shot attempt for the Terps in the first half.
Cornell brought pressure in waves in the first half, each one more threatening than the last. With about six minutes remaining in the half, Neumann faced two incredibly tough shots but fended off both in a five-second span.
The senior single handedly kept the Terps afloat amidst a shaky offensive half, as they registered only one shot attempt. Neumann made four first half saves on six Cornell shot attempts.
Neither side came out on the front foot to begin the second half as the defensive battle continued. The Big Red had the first chance 10 minutes into the half as Morales took a stab, but placed the ball just a bit too high. Meanwhile, Maryland continued to struggle offensively, failing to build upon its single first half shot attempt.
With about 22 minutes remaining in regulation, Richardson worked the ball towards the net, dribbling right before sending a cross to his left. Ndrenika saw a great chance to break the scoreless tie with a straight on shot attempt, but his rocket traveled right into the hands of Friedberg.
The Terps saw two more shot attempts within the next 20 minutes from Ndrenika and defender Luca Costabile. Neither Ndrenika nor Costabile found the back of the net, as Costabile’s shot missed wide left while Ndrenika took an aggressive shot that Friedberg got a hand on for his third save of the match.
Despite Maryland seemingly beginning to knock on the door, it was Cornell who quickly worked the ball up the field and found light.
Lokko located the ball just outside of the box and sent a missile towards the top of the net. Neumann failed to get a hand on it as the ball sank into the goal and sent the Cornell crowd into a frenzy.
Just three minutes later, Lokko struck once again as the Terps tried to find an equalizer. Lokko dribbled through traffic and made magic once again, scoring his second goal in nearly just as many minutes. The Maryland defenders surrounding Lokko stood in disbelief as its season washed away right before its eyes.
The Terps quickly found one goal of their own to cut their deficit in half in the 88th minute, as Ndrenika launched a prayer following an attempted clearance by a Cornell defender that found the back of the net.
With only two minutes remaining and one more goal needed to force an overtime period, the Terps searched desperately, but were unable to find an equalizer. Maryland fell to the Big Red, 2-1, ending its extraordinary season in dramatic fashion.
The Terps failed to advance past the second round for the fourth straight year, continuing its frustrating streak of tournament results following their triumphant 2018 national championship.
