ATHENS, OHIO - Maryland (9-0-3) continued their impressive unbeaten run with a commanding 4-0 victory over Ohio State (5-8-0) on Saturday afternoon. The Terrapins demonstrated their clinical finishing ability, converting four goals while maintaining a clean sheet against a struggling Buckeyes side.
Joseph Umberto Picotto opened the scoring for Maryland in the 46th minute, capitalizing on assists from Tristen Rose and Stephane Njike. The Terrapins extended their lead through Sadam Masereka in the 66th minute, before Kenny Quist-Therson added a third in the 75th minute off a setup from Picotto. Henry Bernstein completed the scoring in the 86th minute with assistance from Rocket Ritarita.
The first half saw Maryland establish control early, with Picotto testing the Buckeyes' defense with a shot in the opening minute. Ohio State's Ashton Bilow responded with two threatening attempts in the 10th and 19th minutes, but both missed the target. The Terrapins' disciplined defensive unit, anchored by Albi Ndrenika, effectively neutralized the Buckeyes' attack despite conceding five corner kicks before halftime.
Maryland's dominance intensified in the second half, with their possession-based approach wearing down the Ohio State defense. The Buckeyes' frustration became evident as they accumulated yellow cards, with Thomas Gilej, Nyle Waugh, Justis Olorunto, Anthony Faupel, Nick McHenry, and Luciano Pechota all entering the referee's book. The Terrapins capitalized on the increasingly physical nature of the match, maintaining their composure to secure three additional goals.
The final statistics highlighted Maryland's superiority, as they outshot Ohio State 13-11, putting eight attempts on target compared to the Buckeyes' three. While Ohio State earned five corner kicks to Maryland's three, they struggled to convert these opportunities into meaningful chances. The match saw a total of eight yellow cards, with six going to Ohio State players and two to Maryland's Stephane Njike and Sadam Masereka.
Several Terrapins delivered standout performances, particularly Joseph Umberto Picotto, who contributed both a goal and an assist. Kenny Quist-Therson's clinical finish demonstrated Maryland's depth in attack, while Henry Bernstein's late goal showcased the team's ability to maintain pressure throughout the full 90 minutes. Ohio State's Ashton Bilow showed moments of promise with multiple shot attempts, but ultimately couldn't break through Maryland's resolute defense.
The tactical battle highlighted Maryland's superior organization, as they effectively transitioned between defense and attack while maintaining positional discipline. Ohio State's attempts to press high were consistently thwarted by Maryland's precise passing and movement, leading to numerous counterattacking opportunities for the visitors.
This victory extends Maryland's impressive unbeaten streak and solidifies their position as one of the conference's top teams. For Ohio State, the result marks their fourth consecutive loss, highlighting the need for tactical adjustments as they look to reverse their declining form.
Looking ahead, Maryland will aim to maintain their momentum when they host Indiana on October 24th at 8:00 PM, while Ohio State faces a challenging road trip to Washington on the same date with a 10:00 PM kickoff. The Terrapins' comprehensive performance suggests they'll be formidable opponents for any team in their upcoming fixtures, while the Buckeyes must regroup quickly to salvage their season.