Maryland’s Season Ends In NCAA Second Round With 2-1 Defeat At Cornell

ITHACA, NY — Maryland’s season came to a heartbreaking close with a 2-1 loss to 14-seeded Cornell in the NCAA Second Round on Sunday at Berman Field.

The Terps, playing in their 22nd consecutive NCAA Tournament, finished the year 11-4-5 overall and reached as high as No. 6 in the rankings throughout the season. 

 Cornell was on the front foot for a good chunk of the first half, but four impressive saves from Niklas Neumann kept the game level at halftime. Battling snow and sub-25 degree temperatures, the Terps found a sustained attack midway through the second half, but Cornell struck with just over six minutes remaining to end the deadlock.

Danny Lokko added his second goal minutes later, but Albi Ndrenika and the Terps answered quickly with a strike from outside the box to make it a 2-1 game. The Terps kept the offensive pressure on for the final three minutes and put several good balls on target, but were unable to come away with a winner after a controversial no-call in the box didn’t go Maryland’s way. 

Ndrenika led the Terps with the goal and three shots.

The XI

Niklas Neumann (GK)

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

Albi Ndrenika (MF), Malcolm Johnston (MF), Alex Nitzl (MF)

Colin Griffith (F), Joshua Bolma (F), Stefan Copetti (F)

Breaking Down The Action

• In the 17th minute, Neumann made a diving save to his right and punched a Big Red shot out of harm’s way to keep the game even. 
• Going against the wind in the first half, the Terps recorded their first shot on target in the 33rd minute as Max Riley put a header towards the net. 
• Neumann capped off the first half with a highlight-worthy series of saves, making two kick saves from Cornell shots in close range in the matter of seconds. He finished the half with four saves.  
• After a slow offensive start to the half from both sides, the Terps had perhaps their best chance of the day in the 68th minute when Nick Richardson’s well-placed cross found Albi Ndrenika in front of the net, forcing Cornell’s Ryan Friedburg to come up with a save. 
• The Terps continued to apply sustained pressure and Ndrenika came close to drawing first blood with a thunderous strike from long range that was on target with under 10 minutes remaining in…