Washington scored a pair of first half goals to down the Maryland men’s soccer team in the season opener for both squads at Husky Soccer Stadium Friday night.

The Terrapins (0-1-0) showed well early in the first half, but the Huskies took control with a pair of tallies before the break. Maryland attempt to rally in the second half and had some decent chances late, but ultimately the Huskies won out as the better team on the night.

Your Maryland Starting XI to face No. 24 Washington#FearTheTurtle pic.twitter.com/TeC1TiiHkv

— Maryland Soccer (@MarylandMSoccer) August 25, 2018

“I thought in the second half we moved the ball forward a little big more and a little more direct,” head coach Sasho Cirovski said. “We started the game fairly brightly and we gave up a goal that was preventable. The second goal was a function of their direct play. When you are on the road you can’t be reactive in the way we were tonight.”

Maryland had the first decent chance of either side in the second minute. The ball dropped to sophomore Eric Matzelevich from 18 yards out, but his shot was blocked away. The Terps had the best of the early action, but could not capitalize with any prime chances.

The home team took the lead in the 32nd minute. Redshirt junior Dayne St. Clair saved Joey Parrish’s initial effort, but Scott Menzies was in the right place to tap the rebound home from close range.

Those all red everything kits though 👀

We are back pic.twitter.com/rlgT2jqzGY

— Maryland Soccer (@MarylandMSoccer) August 25, 2018

Washington made it 2-0 six minutes later. Parrish’s cross found the path of Kyle Coffee, who slotted past St. Clair with his right foot.

Junior Donovan Pines had a good chance for the Terps of an Amar Sejdic effort in the 60th minutes, but his header was saved. Senior DJ Reeves had the best chance of the match for Maryland. A long throw found its way to Reeves, but he couldn’t keep his volleyed effort on frame. The game saw the Maryland debuts of freshmen Justin Gielen, Vinicius Lansade and Brett St. Martin.

Here come the new boys@justingielen and @VLansade make their Maryland debuts! #FearTheTurtle pic.twitter.com/OYLNiodrdH

— Maryland Soccer (@MarylandMSoccer) August 25, 2018

Maryland is back in action next Friday as three-time defending national champion and No. 1 Stanford visits Ludwig Field. The match is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m., and the match can be seen live on FS1.

-Via Maryland Athletics

Categories: Maryland

Tags: BIG10, Maryland, Men's Soccer