In a reversal from the previous three matches, the No. 7 Maryland Terrapins were the first team on the scoresheet on Monday night. High Point, however, capitalized on its second-half chances, climbing out of a 1-0 deficit to defeat the Terps 2-1 and end Maryland’s nine-match unbeaten streak.
In the span of 90 minutes, Maryland’s (7-2-4) longest unbeaten streak since 2017 morphed into a three-match winless streak, including draws to Big Ten bottom feeders Wisconsin and Northwestern. High Point (5-3-4) generated a mere two shots on goal but made the most of its chances.
Like Friday’s match versus Wisconsin, the Terps’ back line struggled throughout much of the second half, with a crucial mistake coming on William Kulvik’s own-goal equalizer in the 49th minute. Head coach Sasho Cirovski was frustrated with the team’s second-half performance.
“We control the whole game and limit the opposition to really no other chances, and yet we end up with two goals against us,” Cirovski said. “Right now, we are the most gracious team in America. We keep giving away soft goals.”
As Cirovski put it, the Terps “gifted” High Point its first goal. With the Terps leading 1-0, High Point defender Cooper Lindfelt drove a ball into the direction of the All-Big Ten Freshman Kulvik, who positioned himself inside the 18-yard box. Kulvik’s attempted clear went awry, heading past keeper Niklas Neumann for an own goal.
In what felt like a microcosm of Maryland’s second-half defensive struggles, Kulvik lay face down inside the penalty area before teammates Chris Rindov and Neumann dragged the sophomore to his feet.
Maryland’s defense strengthened in the opening 30 minutes of the second half, allowing no shots during that span. After a handful of opportunities themselves, including an on-target header from Joe Suchecki in the 53rd minute, the Panthers broke through.
With just under 15 minutes remaining, High Point midfielder Brendan Krueger made a solid run along the Panthers’ bench and placed a through ball at the feet of Sebastian Chalbaud. The Venezuelan’s shot deflected off Neumann’s right foot and into the net, giving High Point a 2-1 advantage.
“Too many goals. We challenge our team to be better defensively, and today, we did not meet that challenge,” Cirovski said.
The Terps started the match off on the right foot, quite literally. After a quiet opening 25 minutes, the Terps’ attack awoke. Hunter George made an excellent run from just beyond the Big Ten logo on the Terps’ defensive half, dribbling past three High Point defenders and sending a shot past all-conference goalkeeper Holden Trent to give Maryland a 1-0 lead.
The forward continues to impress on the attacking third of the pitch. The San Diego State transfer totaled five points in his last four matches and sits tied for second on the team with three goals.
Following the senior’s goal, Maryland continued to press on offense. Luca Costabile’s free kick in the 39th minute gave the Terps an excellent opportunity inside the 6-yard box but reigning Big South Goalkeeper of the Year Holden Trent fended off the chance.
In the final minute of the first half, Nick Richardson made a solid run to inside the 18-yard box on the right side before the High Point back line deflected the shot out of play as Maryland went into the break leading 1-0.
After the Panthers generated three corner kicks and one shot in the opening 17 minutes, George’s goal kickstarted the Maryland attack. The Terps controlled the rest of the half with three shots and two corners. Cirovski was happy with his team’s first-half performance.
“We played very positive and we scored a great goal,” he said. “I think maybe we just felt too good of ourselves at half.”
Following Chalbaud’s goal, the High Point defense stood tall amidst a flurry of golden opportunities from Maryland in the final five minutes.
A corner set up a free kick from George off Noah Holmes’ yellow card. George’s shot, however, went high. One minute later, Maryland earned another corner. Stefan Copetti sent a header off of Trent’s glove and off the post before the ball went out of play.
With less than 30 seconds remaining, Rindov had an excellent chance, heading the ball toward the near post and forcing Trent into his third save of the night. High Point cleared Maryland’s last-gasp corner, sending the Panthers’ bench into elation with a shocking, come-from-behind 2-1 victory.
Maryland looks to bounce back as they continue conference play on Friday at home against Michigan State at 7:00 p.m.
