Maryland Defeats St. John's in Soccer Match
Rodrigo Neri scored the deciding goal in the 61st minute to secure the win.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Soccer
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Maryland secured a 1-0 victory over St. John's behind a second-half goal from Rodrigo Neri. The Maryland defense held St. John's to just five total shots in the contest.
Why it matters
The win maintains momentum for Maryland as the team navigates the final stretch of its regular season schedule. The team now turns its focus to upcoming matches against Ohio State, Washington, and Penn State.
Rodrigo Neri netted his seventh goal of the season in the 61st minute to break the scoreless tie. Maryland dominated the early offensive pressure, outshooting St. John's 11-2 in the first half.
The players
Rodrigo Neri
He is a leading goal scorer for the Maryland men's soccer team.
Laurin Mack
He serves as the primary goalkeeper for the Maryland soccer program.
Nico Bezama
He is the starting goalkeeper for the St. John's men's soccer team.
Farouk Cisse
He is a key midfielder for the Maryland soccer team who facilitates scoring opportunities.
Jace Clark
He is a Maryland soccer player who has been ruled out for the remainder of the season due to an ACL injury.
The details
Farouk Cisse initiated the winning play with a midfield battle before delivering the ball to Rodrigo Neri, who finished with a ground strike into the bottom right corner. Goalkeeper Laurin Mack recorded his third shutout of the season, and 19 different players saw action for Maryland.
Timeline
October 20, 2026: Maryland defeated St. John's in the match.
October 24, 2026: Maryland is scheduled to play Ohio State.
Season Trajectory
This win positions Maryland favorably as they approach their final regular season match against Penn State. The team is currently balancing squad depth, as evidenced by the 19 players utilized in this match, to compensate for late-season injuries like the one sustained by Jace Clark.
Maryland's shutout victory, anchored by Laurin Mack, bolsters the team's defensive statistics heading into the matchup against Ohio State. With 19 players logging minutes, the rotation demonstrates the depth available for the upcoming travel schedule to Seattle and beyond.
The takeaway
Maryland's ability to limit St. John's to only five shots highlights the effectiveness of their defensive discipline. Consistent play from key contributors like Rodrigo Neri will be essential as the team faces consecutive road matches to close the season.
Further reading
For more updates on the team's performance, visit Soccer.
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