No. 1 Maryland men’s soccer falls to UCLA 2-0 in Big Ten Semifinals

Photo courtesy of Maryland Athletics.

No. 1 Maryland men’s soccer had its best start since 2016, being undefeated throughout the entire regular season. On Friday night, that undefeated streak ended – along with its chances of winning the Big Ten Championship. 

The Terps (12-1-3, 8-1-2 Big Ten) lost to UCLA (7-6-4, 6-3-2 Big Ten) 2-0 in the Big Ten Semifinals at Ludwig Field. Maryland outshot the Bruins 17 to 10, but UCLA converted its opportunities. 

“It’s a real challenge to go undefeated all the way through, and you never want to have a defeat – especially not on a night like tonight,” head coach Sasho Cirovski said. 

Forward Stephane Njike recorded the first shot of the match in the 5th minute. Senior midfielder Joseph Umberto Picotto – who assisted all four of Maryland’s goals last Friday – broke through UCLA’s defense then launched the ball to Njike. The sophomore was wide open on the left side of the goal and ripped a shot, but missed wide. 

Redshirt sophomore Sergi Solans Ormo, the Bruin’s lead goal-scorer, recorded two shots within minutes of each other soon after– the only two shots UCLA recorded in the first half. The forward has been a one-man offense as of late – his hat trick against No. 15 Washington last Friday ensured the Bruins a spot in the Big Ten Tournament. 

UCLA’s defense was physical throughout the match, committing six fouls – five during the first half – and picking up two yellow cards. 

Graduate defender Schinieder Mimy ran over senior forward Sadam Masereka and was given a yellow card in the 31st minute.  

In the 58th minute, freshman midfielder Ander Marticorena received the second yellow card of the night. The midfielder brought down Umberto Picotto by hooking Umberto Picotto’s left leg to gain possession of the ball. 

Maryland’s defense matched their physicality.

Shortly before UCLA’s yellow card, graduate midfielder Konstantinos Georgallides found himself in front of the goal. Before he could get any closer, senior defender Tristin Rose kicked the ball right from under him. 

With a minute left in the first half, junior midfielder Philip Naef, the Bruins’ leader in assists, gained possession of the ball and ran it downfield. He found a wide-open Solans Ormo, and the two thought they were alone until Lasse Kelp stepped in. The senior defender kicked the ball from under the lead goal-scorer’s feet, regaining possession for the Terps. 

Maryland’s defense could only contain Solans Ormo for so long. He found his way past Kelp in the 73rd minute, then connected with midfielder Ander Marticorena right in front of the goal. The freshman drilled one past sophomore goalkeeper Laurin Mack – his first career goal – giving the Bruins a 1-0 lead. 

“Maybe at the end of the game, we were probably committing a few too many numbers and they caught us on the counter, that’s how the goal happened,” Cirovski said. “It was a careless turnover and then it was a well executed counter on their part.”

Solans Ormo got UCLA some insurance with seven minutes left to go.

Sophomore defender Shakir Nixon crossed one in from the right side, dropping the ball in front of a waiting Marticorena. He tapped the ball to Solans Ormo, who was ready right in front of the goal, and he found the back of the net to seal Maryland’s first loss of the season.  

“It’s adversity that doesn’t kill you makes you stronger and I think we’re going to take this defeat,” Cirovski said, “and get ready for the NCAA tournament.”