COLLEGE PARK, Md. — Fourth-ranked Maryland survived a grueling 110-minute battle and a nerve-shredding penalty shootout to edge North Carolina 5-3 on spot kicks Sunday after the teams finished 1-1 through regulation and two overtime periods before 3,061 fans at Ludwig Field.
Rocket Ritarita's first-half strike and goalkeeper Laurin Mack's heroics in the shootout proved decisive as Maryland extended their home unbeaten streak despite the Tar Heels' valiant resistance.
Ritarita broke the deadlock in the 43rd minute with a moment of brilliance that had the home crowd roaring. Sadam Masereka drove down the right flank before cutting the ball back to Jace Clark at the edge of the box. Clark's clever dummy let the ball run through to Ritarita, who hammered a first-time shot into the top corner from 18 yards, giving Maryland a 1-0 halftime advantage.
North Carolina emerged from the break with renewed purpose, and their persistence paid dividends eight minutes into the second half. Bertil Rygaard Hansen's sweeping diagonal found Gabriel Bracken Serra wide left, and the winger's pinpoint cross picked out Nacho Abeal at the far post. The striker's diving header flashed past Mack to level the match at 1-1 in the 53rd minute.
The equalizer sparked an end-to-end battle, with Luca Nikolai forcing saves from Mack while Leon Koehl and Stephane Njike created problems at the other end. Neither team could find the winner through regulation, and two tense overtime periods produced chances but no goals, sending the match to penalties.
Maryland's clinical shooting from the spot proved the difference. After Andrew Czech converted for North Carolina, Masereka answered for the Terrapins. Mack then became the hero, saving attempts from Javier Hernandez and Abeal to give Maryland control. Leon Koehl, Joseph Umberto Picotto, and Lasse Kelp all converted to build an insurmountable lead. Though Nikolai and John McDowell scored for UNC, Mack himself stepped up to bury the clinching fifth penalty, sealing Maryland's dramatic victory.
The Terrapins' composure from 12 yards showcased their championship mentality, converting all five attempts while Mack's two crucial saves denied the visitors. Terapins now play UConn.