Said El Eyssami Scores Twice as No. 7 Maryland Opens Season With 2-1 Win at Pitt

No. 7 Maryland men’s soccer opened the 2026 season with an impressive road victory Thursday night, defeating Pittsburgh 2-1 at Ambrose Urbanic Field.

Freshman Said El Eyssami delivered a dream collegiate debut, scoring both Maryland goals to lead the Terrapins past the Panthers. Goalkeeper Laurin Mack also played a major role, making five saves as Maryland protected its lead late.

The victory gave Maryland a 1-0 start for the second consecutive season and extended the program’s unbeaten streak in season openers to three years.

El Eyssami Makes Immediate Impact

Maryland did not need long to find its first goal of the season.

After Rodrigo Neri recorded the Terps’ first shot in the 11th minute, El Eyssami broke through less than a minute later.

The freshman scored in the 12th minute to put Maryland ahead 1-0. Henry Bernstein and Dominic Ayella were credited with assists on the goal.

It was El Eyssami’s first career collegiate goal and came in his first appearance for the Terrapins.

That early strike allowed Maryland to settle into the match despite facing steady pressure from Pitt.

Maryland Takes Lead Into Halftime

Pittsburgh began creating more opportunities as the first half progressed, but Maryland’s defense held firm.

Mack made his first save of the season in the 35th minute before adding another stop in the 43rd.

The Terrapins entered halftime with a 1-0 advantage despite Pitt generating more total shots.

Maryland’s ability to absorb pressure while protecting the lead became one of the biggest themes of the match.

El Eyssami Strikes Again

Maryland quickly doubled its advantage after halftime.

Just over two minutes into the second half, El Eyssami scored again in the 48th minute.

Bernstein picked up his second assist of the night, while Ljubomir Popovic also assisted on the goal.

The score gave Maryland a 2-0 lead and completed the first multi-goal performance of El Eyssami’s collegiate career.

His debut could hardly have gone better.

El Eyssami became the first Maryland player to score twice in a season opener since Jake Rozhansky in 2017. He also became the first Terrapins freshman to score twice in an opener since Graham Zusi accomplished the feat in 2005.

Pitt Cuts Into the Lead

The Panthers continued attacking and eventually found a breakthrough.

Mamadou Tall scored in the 67th minute with an assist from Pablo Portero, cutting Maryland’s lead to 2-1.

The goal changed the complexion of the final portion of the match.

Pitt began pushing aggressively for an equalizer and earned two corner kicks in the 70th minute.

Maryland’s defense survived both opportunities.

Mack Comes Up Big Late

The final minutes belonged to Maryland goalkeeper Laurin Mack.

Pitt continued pressing for the tying goal, but Mack refused to let the Panthers pull even.

His biggest save came in the 86th minute, preserving Maryland’s one-goal advantage.

Mack finished with five saves on six Pitt shots on goal.

The Terrapins then closed out the remaining minutes to secure the 2-1 victory.

Pitt Controls Shots, Maryland Controls the Scoreboard

The final statistics showed just how much pressure Maryland faced.

Pittsburgh outshot Maryland 14-6 and held an 11-2 advantage in corner kicks.

The Panthers also put six shots on goal compared with Maryland’s three.

Maryland, however, made its opportunities count.

Two of the Terrapins’ three shots on goal found the back of the net.

That efficiency proved to be the difference.

Pitt goalkeeper made one save, while Mack stopped five shots at the other end.

New Faces Make Their Maryland Debuts

Thursday’s victory also represented the beginning of a new chapter for several Terrapins.

Maryland had five newcomers in the starting lineup, including Lilian Fichelle, Neri, Ayella, Franklin Affanyi and El Eyssami.

Neri, Affanyi and El Eyssami all made their first collegiate starts for Maryland.

Several more newcomers appeared off the bench, including Marco Wright, Popovic, Dennis Kalanzi, Zack Harris and Casey Price.

In total, 10 players made their Maryland debuts.

That makes the road victory even more encouraging for head coach Sasho Cirovski.

Maryland entered the season replacing several important pieces, but the newcomers immediately showed they can contribute.

Bernstein Provides the Service

While El Eyssami will understandably receive most of the attention for his two-goal performance, Bernstein also played a major role.

The veteran assisted on both Maryland goals, giving him the first multi-assist game of his career.

His service helped connect Maryland’s returning core with its new attacking pieces.

Bernstein was one of six veterans in the starting lineup alongside Leon Koehl, Albi Ndrenika, Jace Clark, Farouk Cisse and Mack.

That combination of experience and new talent proved successful in the season opener.

Maryland Continues Dominance Against Pitt

The victory continued Maryland’s perfect history against Pittsburgh.

The Terrapins are now 6-0 all-time against the Panthers.

Maryland is also 3-0 against Pitt under Cirovski.

Winning at Ambrose Urbanic Field is no easy task, making the season-opening result even more impressive.

Maryland entered the year ranked No. 7 nationally after an outstanding 2025 campaign that included an undefeated regular season, a Big Ten regular-season championship and a trip to the NCAA Tournament quarterfinals.

The Terps immediately showed Thursday that they intend to remain among the nation’s top programs in 2026.

MSB Take

There is no better way for a freshman to introduce himself than what Said El Eyssami did Thursday night.

Two goals.

First collegiate game.

On the road.

Against a quality ACC opponent.

El Eyssami gave Maryland exactly the kind of finishing it needed in a match where chances were limited.

Pitt controlled much of the statistical battle, but Maryland was far more efficient.

The Terrapins scored on two of their three shots on goal while Mack delivered five saves at the other end.

That is how good teams win difficult road games.

Maryland will certainly want to improve its ability to control possession and limit opposing corners. Allowing 14 shots and 11 corners will put pressure on any defense.

But winning while introducing 10 new players into the lineup is a very encouraging sign.

El Eyssami appears capable of making an immediate impact, Bernstein provided excellent service, and Mack once again showed why he is considered one of the top goalkeepers in college soccer.

For Maryland, the 2026 season could not have started much better.

The Terrapins return to College Park for their home opener against New Haven on Monday night at Ludwig Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.