EAST LANSING, Mich. – Maryland orchestrated a stunning comeback Saturday afternoon, erasing a three-goal deficit to defeat Michigan State 4-3 at DeMartin Stadium before 1,171 spectators. The victory extended the Terrapins' winning streak to six matches and improved their immaculate record to 12-0-3 overall and 8-0-2 in Big Ten play.
Sadam Masereka appeared to have put the match beyond reach early, scoring a devastating first-half hat trick that silenced the home crowd and showcased Michigan State's attacking prowess. The forward struck first in the 23rd minute, capitalizing on intricate build-up play from Luca Costabile and Joseph Umberto Picotto to slot home from close range.
Just three minutes later, Masereka doubled the advantage. This time, Stephane Njike initiated the sequence with a penetrating run down the left flank before combining with Picotto, whose weighted pass found Masereka unmarked at the top of the box. The striker's clinical finish gave Maryland goalkeeper Niklas Neumann no chance.
The rout seemed complete in the 34th minute when Masereka completed his hat trick. Picotto, who had already assisted the first two goals, this time received service from Njike before threading a perfectly timed through ball to Masereka. The forward's composed finish made it 3-0, and Michigan State's supporters sensed a statement victory was imminent.
Maryland coach Sasho Cirovski faced a critical halftime decision. His unbeaten Terrapins, who had dominated conference play all season, found themselves staring at their first loss. The response he demanded came almost immediately after the break, though the comeback wouldn't begin until late in the first half.
Miles Merritt sparked the rally in the 44th minute, converting Richie Ludwig's clever service to cut the deficit to 3-1 heading into intermission. That goal proved pivotal, injecting belief into Maryland's locker room and transforming the second-half dynamics.
Cirovski's tactical adjustments became evident as Maryland pressed higher and attacked with renewed urgency. The Spartans, protecting their lead, sat deeper and invited pressure – a decision that would prove costly. Michigan State's defensive shape, so organized in the first half, began showing cracks as Maryland peppered Spartans goalkeeper with chances.
The pressure finally told in the 75th minute. Josh Adam capitalized on a well-worked sequence involving JEB Knox and Charlie Norkett, firing past the Michigan State keeper to make it 3-2. DeMartin Stadium, which had been raucous early, fell eerily quiet as momentum swung decisively toward the visitors.
Michigan State coach Damon Rensing needed a response, but instead got a sucker punch. Njike, who had assisted Masereka's hat trick, turned goalscorer in the 82nd minute. Ironically, Masereka turned provider, repaying Njike's earlier assists with a perfectly weighted pass that Njike finished emphatically to level the match at 3-3.
The drama reached its crescendo in the 87th minute. With both teams pushing for a winner, Oscar Huerta emerged as Maryland's unlikely hero. Peter Soudan's incisive pass found Huerta in space, and the midfielder made no mistake, coolly slotting home what proved to be the decisive goal.
Maryland's statistical dominance told the story of their second-half resurgence. The Terrapins outshot Michigan State 17-6 overall and registered 10 shots on target compared to the Spartans' four. Maryland goalkeeper Neumann made six crucial saves to preserve the comeback, while his Michigan State counterpart managed just one.
The Spartans' failure to capitalize on their four corner kicks – one more than Maryland's three – highlighted their inability to extend their early lead when opportunities arose. That profligacy proved fatal against an opponent of Maryland's quality.
For Michigan State (5-8-3, 2-5-3 Big Ten), the loss marked their second consecutive defeat and raised serious questions about their ability to close out matches. The Spartans' conference tournament hopes now hang by a thread as they face a crucial week ahead.
Maryland's resilience sends an ominous message as they prepare to host the Big Ten Tournament in College Park next week. As the No. 1 seed, the Terrapins will face fourth-seeded UCLA on November 12 at 7 p.m., carrying the momentum of six consecutive victories and the confidence that comes from engineering improbable comebacks. This gritty performance against Michigan State suggests a team peaking at precisely the right moment for postseason play.
Standout Performances:
- Sadam Masereka (Michigan State) – Hat trick hero turned frustrated observer as his brilliant first-half treble counted for nothing
- Josh Adam & Oscar Huerta (Maryland) – Combined for the crucial goals that completed Maryland's improbable rally
- Joseph Umberto Picotto (Michigan State) – Assisted all three Masereka goals, showcasing exceptional vision and creativity
- Niklas Neumann (Maryland) – Six saves preserved the comeback, particularly crucial stops in the final minutes