By Ryan Martin
COLLEGE PARK, MD – Maryland men’s soccer and head coach Sasho Cirovski circle the Virginia Cavaliers on their calendar every fall. Playing Virginia annually since 2018 in a series now 85 games old, Cirovski notes the matchup as one of the best rivalries in collegiate soccer.
In Monday night’s Labor Day matchup, the former ACC foes proved Cirovski right, clawing to a 1-1 draw in front of a rowdy crowd at Ludwig Field.
“I was very pleased with the way we played and thought we maybe deserved a bit more from the game,” Cirovski said. “But that was two proud teams battling it, and maybe a tie ends up being a fair result.”
Backed by a coming-out-party for freshman goalkeeper Laurin Mack and improved play on the backline, Maryland (1-1-2) stifled Virginia’s (2-1-1) offense over a scoreless second half. Mack made two big saves late in the final frame, showing composure that included a sliding kick save on a potential game-winner opportunity for Virginia in the 77th minute.
“You saw tonight the quality of Laurin Mack… That’s the first time we’ve had to rely on him to make plays, so that’s a really good sign for his confidence,” Cirovski emphasized. “… Every game [he’s] gotten a little better… and he’s improving his communication with English as his second language.”
The late defensive stalemate succeeded a 1-1 halftime tie that came from back-to-back goals in identical fashion.
The Terps fell behind in the 35th minute by committing their eighth of a season-high 10 first-half fouls. Defending a Virginia set piece from the right corner, Maryland junior forward Max Riley tripped up a scrum of Cavaliers inside the attacking box – leading to the first penalty attempt for Maryland or its opponent through three games this season.
On the spot kick, Virginia defender Nick Dang scored the game’s opening goal. Dang curled the penalty towards the back left netting, forcing Mack to simply watch it go by as the goalkeeper extended fully towards the opposite post.
Maryland responded just over five minutes later by copying the Cavaliers’ scoring formula.
Showing attacking urgency in the 41st minute, Maryland left back Luca Costabile sprinted towards the left post, opening up a prime cross opportunity. The play was blown dead when Virginia forward Triton Beauvois tripped Costabile to the ground, setting up a matching penalty kick for the Terps.
“I would consider myself a very offensive fullback,” Costabile said. “I love attacking and having the ball. That’s my game.”
A crucial moment in the DMV Derby, Cirovski chose sophomore midfielder Leon Koehl to take the momentous penalty. From 12 feet out, Koehl lasered a low shot towards the left post, netting his first career goal and beating Virginia goalkeeper Joey Bartouni’s dive by half a second.
The clutch equalizer was Maryland’s first penalty goal in its last 30 games, breaking a streak of six scoreless attempts dating back to September 2022.
“He wanted to take on that responsibility, and he’s made good on his stuff right now,” Cirovski said of Koehl’s new role. “He’ll continue to get that opportunity. But it takes courage, and he certainly has that.”
Maryland’s forwards dominated time of possession and appeared more comfortable compared to its starts against UMBC and Georgetown – with the Terp attack picking up where it left off from Friday’s dominant 5-2 win over the Detroit Mercy.
But without a score to show for it, the Terps still managed to maintain the early pressure on Batrouni, a rarity against the Cavaliers. Through its first three games, Virginia’s defense held opponents to just three shots on goal (11 total).
Maryland turned the tide Monday with 10 attempted shots and a pair that landed on net. But going forward, Cirovski sees the chances becoming scores.
“We’re not that far off,” Cirovski said of Maryland’s goal production. “It’s just a matter of getting that final pass or final finish that is lacking. We’re getting into good spots where we just need a little bit more, whether it’s individual quality or better combination plays to execute.”
Following the Labor Day draw, the Terps now host their fourth of six straight home games – welcoming in Brown (1-0) this Friday at 7:00 p.m. Jack Susanin and Daniel Stein will have the call for WMUC Sports.
