Maryland hosts San Diego State on Monday

Maryland (2-1-2) Comparisons San Diego State (3-2)

COLLEGE PARK, MD — The Maryland men's soccer team hosts San Diego State at Ludwig Field on Monday night. This will be the first meeting between the Terrapins and the Aztecs. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. and the game will be broadcast live on B1G+.

The Terrapins enter the contest after a 2-1 win over Brown on Friday night. Leon Koehl opened the scoring for the Terps by converting a penalty in the 10th minute. The score remained 1-0 for most of the game until Brown tied the game in the 78th minute. Just four minutes later, Maryland scored the winning goal when Max Rogers scored a free kick and the ball landed in the top right corner of the goal.

Matchday promotions

• High School and Travel Team Night: High School and travel teams between 9^th – 12^th Class members can attend the game for free if they submit their player list in advance. Email your player list to [email protected].

In search of the Aztecs

Kalm, Koehl, Kollected

• Second semester Leon Koehl has scored two goals this season, both from the penalty spot. Koehl's effectiveness from the penalty spot is highly valued by the Terps after the team failed to convert all four of its chances in 2023.
• Koehl is the first Terp since 2022, when Malcolm Johnston converted four penalties, to score two or more penalty goals in a single season.

• Koehl has scored penalty goals in back-to-back games for the Terps, including penalty goals against Virginia on Sept. 2 and against Brown on Sept. 6. Koehl also joins Johnston, who has scored penalty goals in back-to-back games during the 2022 season, against Virginia on Sept. 5, 2022, and at Georgetown on Sept. 10, 2022.

TERPS PREVIEW

• After a season that fell short of the Maryland men's soccer team's high standards, a combination of hungry returnees and talented freshmen will look to forge a winning identity as the Terps look to return to the top of college soccer.
• Read our season preview with words from head coach Sasho Cirovski, team captain Alex Nitzl and Yale transfer Max Rogers.

Alex Nitzl has started all five games for the Terps this season. Nitzl is a fixture in the lineup and has played in 57 games in his career.

TEN BIG TEN PLAYERS TO WATCH

• Midfield student Alex NitzlDoctoral student in the middle Bjarne Thiesen and Seniors William Kulvik were named “Big Ten Players to Watch,” the league announced.
• Nitzl, a two-time team captain, enters his final season in College Park with 52 games under his belt. With his ability to guard the midfield and play any position on the defensive line, he has established himself as one of the most versatile players in the country.
• Thiesen, who came to Maryland after an All-American season at West Virginia in 2022, will again team with Kulvik, a 2023 All-Big Ten player, as the Terps' center back pairing. The two have played in 110 games together in their careers.
• Maryland's other player with previous Big Ten honors is left back Luca Costabilewho was selected to the All-Freshman Team in 2022. His veteran colleague Dalton Hass could also be used as a fullback for the Terps and the versatile Mack DeVries And Brian St. Martin can play multiple positions along the defensive line.

Center back who will be selected to the All-Big Ten second team in 2023 William Kulvik has already scored two goals and provided one assist in 2024.

Welcome, the NEW

• The Terrapins have welcomed 12 new additions, a combination of freshmen and transfer players who will strengthen the roster for the 2024 season.
• One of the most interesting innovations in Maryland is the transfer Saddam Maserekaa dynamic offensive player who scored 22 goals and provided seven assists in two seasons at Lindsey Wilson College. Yale transfer Max Rogers will also contribute to the attack in 2023 after a season on the All-Ivy League first team. The freshman quartet of Michael Lejbowicz, Travis Thompson, Jameson Michel And Aidan Sheppela will also look to play a role in the Terps' offense as they look to return to form this fall.
• Maryland has become stronger with the addition of Brown between the posts Hudson Leaf Icea selection for the All-Ivy League Second Team in 2023 and freshman Laurin Mack from SC Freiburg of the German Bundesliga, who gained valuable experience with the Terps in the spring after joining the squad. They will compete with talented sophomores Saxon Wolcott for the playing time.
• The defense line is strengthened by two young talents from Baltimore. Jace Clark and Tampa's Alexi MihalekThe transfer additives from Chris Steinleitner (East Florida) and Joel Brown (Saint Leo) gives the Terps additional experience on defense.
• The Terps also have new additions to the team, alongside Cirovski and longtime assistant coach Jake Pacewith Brian Rowland And Michael Gould as assistants. Rowland is no stranger to success at Maryland, having been on Cirovski's staff from 2010-2017. He helped the Terps to 123 wins, 10 conference trophies and advancement to two College Cups, including the 2013 national championship game. Rowland spent the 2023 season at UMBC and was previously the head coach at Temple from 2018-2022. Gould was an assistant coach at Chestnut Hill College in 2023, working primarily with goalies, and he will continue in that position in College Park.

From Uganda Saddam Masereka has started all five games for the Terps since coming to College Park this season.

EXHIBITION SZN

• The Terps picked up two home wins against Rider and Old Dominion ahead of the 2024 season.
• Maryland's returning offensive players were seen as juniors Colin Griffith and in the second year of study Lukas van Heukelum scored goals during the friendlies, including a hat-trick by van Heukelum against Rider. The two are aiming for their breakthrough season in 2024 and will be supported by returning players Max Riley And Cameron Gerber in the attack in Maryland.
• Second year students Leon Koehl And Kenny Quist-Therson were in the Terps' midfield this preseason after debuting in the midfield in the seasons. Junior Matias de Jesus will take on a larger role in 2024, while Cirovski and the Terps hope for the full return of Albi Ndrenikawho missed the entire 2023 due to injury, despite being expected to be a key figure in midfield.

After some great shows Lukas van Heukelum has scored two goals so far in the regular season.