Richardson’s Late Goal Completes No. 8 Terps Thrilling 3-2 Comeback Win Over Rutgers

PISCATAWAY, NJ — Nick Richardson took a pass from Malcolm Johnston with 17 minutes remaining and knocked it through the bottom left of the goal, giving the No. 8 Terps a massive 3-2 come-from-behind win after initially falling behind 2-0 on the road at Rutgers. 

After neither team was able to find any good chances through the first 20 minutes of action, the pace of the match picked up in a hurry with three goals scored in a span of five minutes. Rutgers scored a pair of goals in quick succession before the Terps and Hunter George responded to get the deficit back within one. 

Johnston scored the equalizer in the 63rd minute with a bicycle kick before Richardson put the Terps up for good, sending them back to College Park with three points and propelling them to the top of the Big Ten standings. 

Richardson and Johnston each notched a goal and an assist on the day. 

Niklas Neumann made his first start in goal since Sept. 10 at Georgetown, as he was sidelined for the last four matches with an injury. He recorded two saves, including a game-saving one with nine minutes left. 

The match was originally scheduled to be played at 7 pm at Yurcak Field but was moved to a 3:45 pm start time at the Miller Family Soccer Complex due to inclement weather conditions. 

The Terps moved to 7-1-2 on the season and 3-0-1 in conference play. They also extended their unbeaten season to seven. The Scarlet Knights dropped to 5-2-4, 3-1-3.  

The XI

Niklas Neumann (GK)

Luca Costabile (LB), Chris Rindov (LCB), William Kulvik (RCB), Nick Richardson (RB)

Joshua Bolma (MF), Malcolm Johnston (MF), Alex Nitzl (MF)

German Giammattei (F), Hunter George (F), Griffin Dillon (F)

Breaking Down The Action

• The Scarlet Knights scored in the 20th and 22nd minute to grab the early lead.
• George came up with the equalizer three minutes after the second goal, connecting on a curler from 25-yards away. It was George’s first goal since Maryland’s opening match against No. 9 New Hampshire on Aug. 25. 
• The Terps created more offensive pressure with consecutive good looks from Stefan Copetti and Alex Nitzl towards the end of the first half.
• The Terps tied it up in the 63rd minute off Johnston’s bicycle kick goal. Nick Richardson notched the assist. 
• Richardson and Johnston flipped roles in the 73rd minute as Johnston found Richardson for…