Maryland’s annual opening game of the NCAA men’s soccer tournament is more protocol than pressure. The Terrapins had advanced to the Sweet 16 eight straight times before Sunday. Getting to the ninth was a mere formality, and Maryland did so with ease, using its limitless roster options to topple visiting Penn 4-0 at Ludwig Field.
It took a little more than eight minutes for sophomore John Stertzer (Flint Hill) to score for the Terps (18-2-1), burying Jason Herrick’s knockdown header in traffic from six yards.
“Any time you get the first goal, you’re able to open up a team, especially when they’re on the road,” said Stertzer, who scored his second goal of the year in just his seventh start.
“John is in a very good groove right now,” Maryland coach Sasho Cirovski said. “He certainly deserves all that he’s been getting, and he’s a high-quality player. He’s really starting to hit it right now. We have a lot of depth and a lot of interchangeable pieces. I think that’s benefitted us throughout the season.”
Matt Kassel doubled the lead from the penalty spot in the 26th minute after Casey Townsend got pulled down in the box. Redshirt senior Greg Young delivered a backbreaking third goal just before halftime — his first of the year — pouncing on a ball that landed in the box courtesy of Penn defender Jason Gorskie’s back.
“We’re a team that’s not very tall,” Cirovski said. “But we’re very athletic, and we compete for everything. I thought our guys did a great job of reading the possibilities on every play and being in the right place at the right time.”
Travis Cantrell’s half-volley in the 82nd minute was the best offensive effort of the night for the Quakers (13-6), but Maryland goalkeeper Zac MacMath preserved the shutout — his career-best 14th of the year — with a diving one-handed save, his fourth of the night.
Patrick Mullins put the game away with a blast to the far post from the right side in the 82nd minute.
The Terps will host Penn State, a team it beat in the second round of the NCAAs last year, in the round of 16 on Nov. 28 at 5 p.m. Justin Lee, the twin brother of Maryland defender Alex Lee, plays for the Nittany Lions (14-7-1). Both are Magruder High graduates.
