No. 13 Maryland men’s soccer faces No. 18 Rutgers, looks for consecutive wins over ranked Big Ten opponents

No. 13 Maryland men’s soccer (7-0-3, 3-0-2 Big Ten) will continue conference play at Ludwig Field on Tuesday night against No. 18 Rutgers (8-2-2, 3-1-1 Big Ten), whom the Terps have not defeated since 2022. 

Maryland’s 2-0 win over No. 13 Michigan on Friday gave the Terps the number two ranking in the Big Ten, one spot above the Scarlet Knights. The win marked the Terps’ fourth shutout victory of the season. 

After a scoreless first half, the Terps found the rhythm they had been searching for and continued their unbeaten streak. 

Junior midfielder Leon Koehl gave Maryland the lead in the 55th minute with his third successful penalty kick of the season. The Terps were awarded the penalty kick due to Michigan receiving a yellow card after an intense defensive approach towards senior forward Sadam Masereka. 

 Koehl continued to showcase his offensive skills 20 minutes later, using his body to stave off  Michigan defender Nolan Miller and gain control of the ball. The junior distributed the ball to senior midfielder Albi Ndrenika, who sent it to sophomore Stephane Njike with a back heel flip.

The Long Island transfer launched his fourth goal of the season to ensure Maryland’s victory and overpower the Wolverines. 

Maryland has a 12-4-2 series record over the Scarlet Knights, but has struggled against Rutgers’ defense in the two teams’ past two matchups. 

The Scarlet Knights defeated the Terps 3-1 last season, with the only Terps goal coming from current senior midfielder Matias De Jesus. Sophomore goalkeeper Laurin Mack recorded three saves, but also conceded a trio of goals.

The sophomore has recorded 34 saves this season and holds a 0.829 save percentage. Mack ranks third in the Big Ten in both metrics, but Rutgers goalkeeper Ciaran Dalton holds the advantage in saves.

Dalton has recorded a conference-leading 43 saves and holds a 0.768 save percentage. This season, the senior has allowed 13 goals to Mack’s seven, however. 

Rutgers’s attack, which is third in the conference in goals, is fueled by perhaps the Big Ten’s best offensive duo. Junior midfielder Joschi Schelb is second in the conference in goals (seven) and points (17), while sophomore forward Dan Karsten ranks in the Big Ten’s top five in both statistics. 

The forward has recorded five goals and 13 points in his first season with the Scarlet Knights. 

 Schelb recorded three of his goals and six points during Rutgers’ match against William and Mary on Sept. 1. Last season at Saint Francis, Schelb earned an All-NEC First Team selection and finished the season with 10 goals.

Maryland’s main advantage over Rutgers is its slightly more potent offense. The Terps are averaging 2.60 goals per game, compared to the Scarlet Knights’ 2.08 average. Maryland’s defense has also been more stout. The Terps have only allowed seven goals from opponents, while Rutgers has allowed opponents to score 13 goals.