Farouk Cisse’s Late Goal Lifts No. 7 Maryland Men’s Soccer Past Rutgers, 2-1
By Brian Hradsky Maryland Sports Blog | October 12, 2026
MEN’S COLLEGE SOCCER • OCTOBER 6, 2026 • YURCAK FIELD, PISCATAWAY, N.J.
No. 7 Maryland
2
7-2-1 at conclusion
Rutgers
1
5-5-1 at conclusion
FINAL • BIG TEN CONFERENCE
The No. 7 Maryland Terrapins men’s soccer team earned a dramatic 2-1 road victory over Rutgers on October 6, thanks to a late game-winning goal from Farouk Cisse in the 83rd minute. Maryland struck early through Rodrigo Neri before Rutgers responded midway through the opening half, setting up a tightly contested Big Ten Conference matchup. Goalkeeper Laurin Mack delivered six saves to keep the Terrapins competitive despite Rutgers generating more scoring opportunities throughout the evening. The victory improved Maryland’s record to 7-2-1 overall and 2-2-1 in conference play, giving head coach Sasho Cirovski’s squad its second Big Ten victory of the season.
Neri Gives Maryland an Early Advantage
Maryland wasted little time establishing itself offensively, taking the lead just 3:17 into the opening half when Neri scored his sixth goal of the season. Henry Bernstein and Franklin Affanyi combined to create the opportunity, with Bernstein recording his team-leading seventh assist and Affanyi collecting his second. The early breakthrough gave the Terrapins momentum and demonstrated their ability to capitalize quickly against conference opponents. Neri continued his impressive freshman campaign, adding another important goal to his growing list of contributions.
Rutgers responded by increasing its offensive pressure and forcing Mack into several important saves during the opening 15 minutes. The Scarlet Knights eventually broke through at 18:38 when Amer Lukovic scored his third goal of the season, with Francesco Di Ponzio and Dan Karsten earning assists. Maryland attempted to regain the advantage through Rocket Ritarita, Luka Juricic and Dominic Ayella, each of whom placed shots on target during the first half. Neither team could produce another goal before halftime, leaving the contest tied at one heading into the final 45 minutes.
Mack Keeps Terrapins Alive in Second Half
The second half became a defensive battle as Rutgers continued creating opportunities against Maryland’s back line. Mack made an important save in the 51st minute and followed with another stop in the 61st minute, preventing the Scarlet Knights from taking their first lead. Maryland’s defense also successfully defended a Rutgers corner kick in the 71st minute, keeping the score level as the contest approached its final stages. Those defensive contributions proved essential because the Terrapins struggled to match Rutgers’ overall shot production.
Rutgers finished with 15 shots compared to Maryland’s nine and held a 7-5 advantage in shots on goal. The Scarlet Knights also generated seven corner kicks while Maryland finished with five, illustrating the pressure Rutgers applied throughout the contest. Despite those disadvantages, Maryland remained organized enough defensively to avoid surrendering a second goal. Mack’s performance provided the foundation for the Terrapins to eventually capitalize on a late offensive opportunity.
Cisse Delivers the Game-Winning Goal
With the contest appearing increasingly likely to end in a draw, Cisse delivered the decisive moment at 82:06. The Maryland defender found the back of the net for his first goal of the season, breaking the deadlock and giving the Terrapins a 2-1 advantage with fewer than eight minutes remaining. The unassisted goal represented a crucial contribution from a player whose primary responsibilities typically involve protecting Maryland’s defensive third. Cisse’s late strike transformed what had been a frustrating offensive evening into an important conference victory.
Rutgers attempted to mount a final comeback, but Mack delivered another critical save in the 88th minute to preserve Maryland’s narrow advantage. The Terrapins successfully navigated the remaining minutes without allowing an equalizer, securing their seventh victory of the season. The result improved Maryland’s all-time record against Rutgers to 14-4-2 and its road record against the Scarlet Knights to 7-3. Mack also recorded the 29th victory of his collegiate career, another notable milestone for the veteran goalkeeper.
Match Statistics
| Category | Maryland | Rutgers |
|---|---|---|
| Goals | 2 | 1 |
| Total shots | 9 | 15 |
| Shots on goal | 5 | 7 |
| Saves | 6 | 3 |
| Corner kicks | 5 | 7 |
| Fouls | 6 | 10 |
Source: University of Maryland Athletics official match statistics.
Maryland’s Goal Scorers
| Player | Time | Season goal |
|---|---|---|
| Rodrigo Neri | 3:17 | 6th |
| Farouk Cisse | 82:06 | 1st |
Rutgers’ lone goal came from Amer Lukovic at 18:38, his third of the season. Bernstein and Affanyi assisted Neri’s opener, while Cisse’s winning goal was unassisted.
Victory Provides Important Conference Momentum
Maryland entered the Rutgers matchup looking to recover from a difficult 3-1 loss against No. 2 Indiana on October 2. Despite entering the season among the nation’s highest-ranked programs, the Terrapins had experienced inconsistent results during the opening portion of Big Ten competition. Their victories against nationally ranked High Point, Georgetown and Wisconsin demonstrated the team’s potential, but conference losses had complicated their position in the standings. Defeating Rutgers on the road provided an important response and another example of Maryland’s ability to win close games.
The victory also highlighted the contributions Maryland continues receiving from both established veterans and talented newcomers. Neri has emerged as a reliable scoring threat during his freshman campaign, while Bernstein has become an important offensive distributor. Mack remains one of the team’s most dependable performers, consistently providing timely saves when opponents create dangerous opportunities. Cisse’s winning goal demonstrated that Maryland can receive decisive contributions from different positions across the field.
What’s Next for Maryland?
Following the Rutgers victory, Maryland returned home to face Michigan State on October 9 in another nationally ranked Big Ten matchup. The Terrapins subsequently suffered a 2-1 defeat against the No. 19 Spartans, dropping their record to 7-3-1 overall and 2-3-1 in conference play. Maryland’s next scheduled contest is Friday, October 16, on the road against Michigan, with kickoff set for 7 p.m. on Big Ten Network. The Terrapins will look to rediscover the late-game execution that helped them secure the Rutgers victory as they continue navigating a challenging conference schedule.
MSB Take
Maryland’s victory over Rutgers was not its most dominant performance of the season, but winning difficult road games is essential for any program with championship aspirations. The Terrapins were outshot, faced consistent pressure and needed several outstanding saves from Mack to remain competitive. Nevertheless, Maryland demonstrated resilience by staying organized defensively and capitalizing when Cisse delivered the decisive goal. Those are the types of victories that can strengthen a team’s confidence and demonstrate its ability to overcome adversity.
Neri continues to establish himself as one of Maryland’s most exciting offensive players, and his sixth goal further emphasizes the impact he has made during his freshman season. Mack deserves considerable credit for keeping the Terrapins in position to win, especially with Rutgers generating seven shots on goal. Maryland must improve its ability to control possession and limit opposing scoring opportunities, particularly against the Big Ten’s strongest programs. However, the late victory against Rutgers demonstrated that Cirovski’s squad possesses the determination and individual talent necessary to compete in difficult conference matchups.
Sources: University of Maryland Athletics — Rutgers recap and box score, Maryland pregame notes and season background, Maryland’s subsequent Michigan State recap and 2026 Maryland men’s soccer schedule.
