COLLEGE PARK, Md. — Maryland men’s soccer appeared to be cruising toward another deep postseason run. Instead, a season filled with dominance and championship hopes ended with a painful stumble at home.
The fourth-ranked Terrapins fell to Washington, 3–1, on Saturday in the NCAA tournament quarterfinals — a result that stunned a crowd expecting a celebration rather than a farewell. The loss left a lingering sense of shock on Ludwig Field as fans quietly exited into the cold night.
“We only lost twice all season. We went unbeaten in the Big Ten. We were the last top-four seed still alive,” coach Sasho Cirovski said afterward. “Right now all I feel is emptiness.”
Maryland Jumps Ahead — Then Gets Overrun
The match began exactly the way Maryland envisioned.
Freshman Henry Bernstein rose above the crowd to nod home a header in the 19th minute, scoring in his first career start. For the next ten minutes, the Terps looked every bit like the dominant team that hadn’t given up more than three goals at home all year.
Then, the momentum flipped.
Washington gradually seized control of possession, and a 38th-minute corner kick produced a chaotic equalizer. The teams went into halftime tied 1–1, but only one side returned with urgency.
Huskies Take Over the Wings
Earlier in the week, Cirovski predicted the match would be decided by wide play, featuring “the best wingers in the country.”
He was right — just not in the way Maryland hoped.
Washington’s Joe Dale threatened repeatedly down the right flank, and his low cross in the 55th minute found Charlie Kosakoff at the near post for the go-ahead goal. The Terps never recovered.
Washington struck again in the 70th minute when Richie Aman whipped a perfect ball from the opposite wing to Alex Hall, who buried it for a 3–1 lead. Maryland’s defensive rotations at right back — forced by injury — couldn’t keep up.
“We had to take Jace [Clark] out, and he’s been battling an injury,” Cirovski said. “We ended up using three different guys there. It hurt us.”
While Washington’s full backs adjusted, Maryland’s wide threats faded. Sadam Masereka, dangerous early, was contained as the match wore on. On the other side, Luca Costabile and Stephane Njike struggled to create clean chances, and Njike finished without a shot on target.
“Once Masereka and Njike start running at you, you’re in trouble,” Washington coach Jamie Clark said. “Our guys were committed to getting pressure on them.”
A Final Counter That Went Nowhere
The most symbolic moment came in the 82nd minute. Down two, Maryland goalkeeper Laurin Mack denied a point-blank breakaway to keep his team alive and immediately launched a counter. Costabile surged up the sideline and found Njike in space.
For a second, the field seemed to open.
Njike looked across the pitch — a long, risky diagonal that might have sparked a comeback — then hesitated. He passed backward instead, and the attack fizzled.
Minutes later, the final whistle sounded.
A Remarkable Season, Without the Trophy
Maryland needed two more wins in Cary, North Carolina, to reach the national championship. Instead, it suffered only its second loss of the year — at home, where Washington had never previously scored.
The Terps finish the season empty-handed in terms of trophies, but with a résumé that still glitters:
- Undefeated in Big Ten play
- No. 1 team in the country at the end of the regular season
- Only top-four tournament seed to reach the quarterfinals
“It’s been one of the most special seasons of my 33 years here,” Cirovski said. “But the finality of today is difficult.”
A Frustrated Exit
After speaking with reporters, Cirovski spun toward the plastic chair he usually sits in, visibly seething. He stopped short of kicking it only when a staff member stepped in front of him.
That flash of emotion told the story. A brilliant season, undone in 90 minutes.
A few players lingered on the field as the crowd disappeared. For Maryland, the sting will last far longer.
