COLLEGE PARK, MARYLAND — Maryland broke through late to secure a 1-0 victory over Washington on Friday night, with Albi Ndrenika's 82nd-minute goal proving the difference in a tightly contested matchup. The Terrapins dominated possession and created numerous chances throughout the contest, but it took until deep into the second half for them to find the back of the net. The win extended Maryland's impressive unbeaten streak to five matches.
Ndrenika's decisive moment came in the 82nd minute when he capitalized on a setup from Sadam Masereka and Joseph Umberto Picotto, finally converting the pressure Maryland had been building all evening. The goal came after a foul by Kenny Quist-Therson set up the opportunity, and Maryland made no mistake with the chance. It was a clinical finish that separated two evenly matched Division I programs competing for crucial NCAA tournament positioning.
The first half remained scoreless despite Maryland's territorial advantage. Stephane Njike came closest for the home side, firing shots that either went wide or found the woodwork. Washington's Connor Lofy tested Maryland's defense with a low shot in the 14th minute, but the Huskies struggled to generate sustained offensive pressure. Both teams traded fouls and throw-ins as the match settled into a cagey rhythm, with neither goalkeeper seriously tested through the opening 45 minutes.
Washington emerged with more urgency after halftime, with Joe Dale and Egor Akulov both testing Maryland's backline in the early stages of the second half. The Huskies created several half-chances, including shots from Cameron Cruz and Zach Ramsey that were either blocked or sailed high. Despite their efforts, Washington couldn't find a way past Maryland's defense, which remained organized and disciplined throughout the contest.
Maryland continued to probe methodically, with Chris Steinleitner, Leon Koehl, and Luca Costabile all forcing Washington into defensive positions. The Terrapins' pressure intensified as the match wore on, and their persistence finally paid dividends when Ndrenika struck late. Washington's goalkeeper made four saves to keep his team in the match, while Maryland's keeper needed just two stops, reflecting the home side's dominance in controlling play.
The statistics told the story of Maryland's superiority. The Terrapins outshot Washington 17-10 overall and held a 5-2 advantage in shots on goal. Maryland also earned four corner kicks to Washington's three, though neither team could capitalize on set pieces. Both sides received two yellow cards apiece, with Harrison Bertos and Egor Akulov cautioned for Washington, while Leon Koehl and Laurin Mack drew cards for Maryland.
Ndrenika's late heroics capped a strong performance from Maryland's attacking unit. Stephane Njike created constant problems down the flank with multiple attempts, while Sadam Masereka's involvement in the winning goal highlighted his importance to the Terrapins' midfield. For Washington, Connor Lofy and Egor Akulov worked tirelessly to generate chances, but lacked the finishing touch when opportunities arose.
The result keeps Maryland unbeaten at 11-0-3 on the season, maintaining their strong tournament resume as the NCAA selection committee begins evaluating brackets. Washington, meanwhile, suffered their first loss in three matches, dropping to 10-4-2 after winning convincingly over Ohio State just one week prior. The defeat stings for the Huskies, who controlled stretches of the match but couldn't convert their chances against a composed Maryland side.
Maryland travels to East Lansing next Friday to face Michigan State, while Washington hosts UCLA in a crucial Pac-12 matchup the same evening. Both teams will look to bounce back quickly, with tournament implications mounting as the regular season enters its final stretch.