Maryland men win pivotal match vs. No. 16 Rutgers

COLLEGE PARK, Md. (Via University of Maryland) – The Maryland men’s soccer team picked up an inspired performance from its senior class en route to a 3-1 victory over No. 16 Rutgers to cap the regular season at Ludwig Field Wednesday night.

With the win, the Terps (8-5-4, 3-2-3 B1G) guaranteed themselves at least more match in College Park this season as Maryland will host No. 6 seed Michigan as the third seed in the upcoming Big Ten Conference Tournament in quarterfinal action on Sunday. The victory snapped a seven-game winning streak for Rutgers (11-5-1, 4-4-0 B1G).

Freshman Eryk Williamson broke out for his first two collegiate goals while seniors Tsubasa Endoh, Mael Corboz and David Kabelik all pitched in offensively. Endoh netted the game-winning score and Corboz and Kabelik each added an assist. Senior Dakota Edwards also aided defensively, helping hold the league’s top offense to one score.

After replacing George Campbell following an injury in the first minute of play, Williamson picked the perfect moment to register his first career tally at 10:06. Alex Crognale’s solid header was magnificently saved by Rutgers David Greczek but the rebound kicked out to an awaiting Williamson, and the freshman finished to the far post for the 1-0 lead.

Endoh’s goal provided some dramatics for the crowdin the 24th minute. Corboz dished the ball to the Tokyo-native, who proceeded to fire a rocket from 22 yards which ricocheted off the crossbar onto the goal line and was not initially ruled a score until Crognale’s follow-up header was saved and play stopped.

Rutgers answered to make it a 2-1 contest off a set piece in the 48th minute. Miles Hackett racked up his seventh goal of the year with a strike from eight yards after a Mitch Lurie free kick.

Maryland extended the lead back to two when Kabelik’s run at goal brought Greczek out of goal and Williamson scooped the loose ball from five yards for the finish.

“I was really proud of the guys, especially our seniors,” head coach Sasho Cirovski said. “This was a team victory and I thought even beyond the 11 players on the field, the entire team was really focused tonight.

“It was our responsibility to come out and find a way to get a result and we did. Rutgers is a great team. They have some of the most dynamic attacking players in the nation and for us to neutralize them the way we did today was rewarding.”

Maryland hosts Michigan on Sunday in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Tournament.