Though Maryland men’s soccer recorded six goals in their previous game, its defense had been the anchor of this team.

It hasn’t allowed a goal in open play and has given up just two goals, one from a penalty and another from a corner kick. That theme was evident on Saturday. 

“We’ve gotten better defensively, we haven’t allowed too many shots in the last few games,” head coach Sasho Cirovski said. “It’s early. We as a team want to become better defensively. Apart from the two goals we gave up against Bucknell… we have been pretty good defensively.”

Maryland took the lead early on Saturday, but wasn’t able to secure victory until later on as the Terps took down Pacific, 4-0.  

The match got off to a slow start, with just two shots in the first ten minutes. But the Terps would soon strike first in the 11th minute.

Stephane Njike delivered a corner to the back post and found Luke Van Heukelem, who leaped in the air and headed it in for his third goal in two games.

Aside from a slow start, the Terps were in the driver’s seat all game as Maryland controlled possession of the ball. Yet the Terps couldn’t give themself insurance as they held on to a slim one-goal lead. 

Pacific’s chances were limited to just three shots in the first half. One of those shots came from point-blank range and was goalie Laurin Mack’s only test of the game. 

The Terps poured it on in the second half, recording three goals in the span of 12 minutes. Ritirita had a goal and an assist in that span.

In the second half, the Terps’ offense had multiple chances to add to their lead — Sadam Masereka finally capitalized on an opportunity.

Masereka received the ball outside the box and wasted no time. He delivered a laser in front of Pacific defender Mateus Ruiz-Hurst to give the Terps a two-goal lead on his second goal of the season in the 75th minute. 

In the 83rd minute, freshman Rocket Ritarita, assisted by Mack DeVries, netted his first career goal, giving the Terps a commanding lead. Despite little time left to play, the Terps weren’t done. 

“We just have to stay switched on because one moment can change the game for us and for them,” Ritarita said. “Especially when you stop on a corner or a set-piece, we just had to make sure we had the ability to stay switched on.”

In the 87th minute, Ritirita and Aiden Sheppela found themselves on a two-on-one breakaway. Ritarita crossed the ball over the box to Shippela, who laid it in for a fourth goal. 

With the win, the Terps improved to 3-0-1, wrapping up their three-game homestand with a winning record. 

Maryland has scored ten goals in the last two games and looks to continue that into Big Ten play, starting with a matchup with Wisconsin on Friday.