Non-rev report: Maryland men's soccer opens Big Ten Tournament with first loss in 2025

jariabutler
2 hours ago
7 min read

Men’s Soccer

No.1-seeded Maryland men’s soccer secured its last win of the regular season against Michigan State, 4-3, and headed into the Big Ten Tournament as the Big Ten regular season champions.

Maryland entered the Big Ten semifinals unbeaten but left with its first loss of the season to No. 4-seeded UCLA, 2-0.

The Terps faced UCLA in the regular season, where they tied 0-0, and the first half looked very similar to that previous matchup, but the Bruins built momentum in the second half and scored two goals to move past the Terps.

Since joining the Big Ten in 2014, Maryland has won the championship three times and reached the semifinals five times.

"Adversity that doesn't kill you makes you stronger. We're going to take this defeat — this humble pie — and get re-energized from it and just reset, refocus and get ready for the NCAA Tournament," said head coach Sasho Cirovski.

Maryland will find out who it will be up against in the NCAA tournament once the bracket is released Monday.

The conference, meanwhile, announced conference honors on Thursday with head coach Sasho Cirvoski named Big Ten Coach of the Year for the third time in his career. Maryland also led the way with six All-Big Ten selections with Lasse Kep (Defensive Player of the Year), Laurin Mack (Goalkeeper of the Year), Leon Koehl, Sadam Masereka, Luca Costabile and Stephane Njike all honored on the First Team.

Maryland’s six selections mark a new program record while Albi Ndrnika earned All-Big Ten Second Team and Rocket Ritarita and Farouk Cisse were both named Big Ten All-Freshman selections.

Mack led the conference with eight shutouts in 15 regular season matchups to become just the second Terp to win Goalkeeper of the Year, while Kelp led a Maryland defense that posted shutouts in half their games. With Costabile selected as the team’s Sportsmanship Award recipient, Masereka’s nine goals and three assists anchored the Terps’ scoring attack alongside Njike, who posted 21 total points in 2025. Koehl, meanwhile, was named an All-Big Ten First Team selection for the second straight season.

Volleyball

Maryland volleyball extended its rough stretch to seven consecutive losses after falling to Ohio State 3-2 and Michigan 3-0.

Ohio State and Maryland each won two sets apiece heading into the fifth set, but the Buckeyes secured the win 15-12.

The Terps could not find their momentum against Michigan as the Wolverines blew past Maryland in all three sets.

Maryland volleyball, 8-16 overall and 1-13 in the Big Ten, faces tough matchups against ranked opponents, 9th-ranked Purdue on Friday at 7 p.m. and 18th-ranked Indiana on Sunday at noon.

Field hockey

The Big Ten tournament came to an end after the first round for No. 2-seeded Maryland after being defeated by No. 7-seeded Ohio State, 2-1. The Terps fell to the Buckeyes earlier in the regular season.

Maryland received its first goal in the second half from freshman Maia Adamson, her second goal of the season, but the Terps were unable to find another goal in the final quarter and sealed Ohio State’s victory.

"No excuses at all. Ohio State was very opportunistic. They took better advantage of opportunities," said head coach Missy Meharg

The Terps looked like they might have had a shot at the division I NCAA field hockey tournament, but after the bracket was released on Sunday, Maryland was missing from it.

The last time Maryland missed the NCAA tournament was in 2020, this marked the second time in nearly 30 years without an NCAA tournament appearance.

Women's basketball

Head coach Brenda Frese inked three, including one five-star, in Maryland’s 2026 class with Jordyn Jackson, who transferred from Sidwell Friends to St. James anchoring the trio. Maryland also signed Mimi Thiero, younger sister of Lakers forward Abdou Thiero, before the staff went across the Atlantic to land 6-foot-4 center Eva-Grace Yebila out of London.

“I can't say enough about how hard our staff worked on signing this class,” Frese said. “We tried to address some of the needs we have on our team with this group. We are excited to welcome all three into our Maryland family.”

More on the signings:

JORDYN JACKSON

Guard

6-1

Old Bridge, NJ

St. James Performance Academy (VA)

IG: jordyn.jackson5

No. 7 player in the country according to ESPN and five-star recruit
Averaged 19.3 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.7 assists as a junior
Named to Jersey Mike's Naismith Trophy Girls High School Player of the Year Watch List
Earned Washington Post All-Met First Team honors in 2025 and honorable mention in 2024
Led team to two Washington, DC state titles and to Independent School League titles
Named State Championship MVP in 2025
Scored over 1,000 points
Personal bests are 34 points and 10 rebounds
2023 USA Women's U16 National Team
Participated in 2023 FIBA U16 Americas Championships and won a Gold Medal
2025, Gatorade Player of the Year for Washington, DC
2025 USA Women's Basketball U19 National Team Trials Invitee
Played AAU on the Nike EYBL circuit for Team Takeover and Team Durant

Frese on Jackson: “Jordyn Jackson is a player in our backyard that we targeted at a young age.She is a versatile wing that will have an immediate impact for us. She is a perimeter player that can score at all three levels and will bring a championship pedigree and toughness to our team. She's spent a lot of time competing against some of the best and we're excited for her to continue that here in College Park.”

Jackson on Maryland: “Coach Frese and staff did a great job in my recruitment. They all stayed engaged and consistent with me throughout my high school journey. Also, I was impressed by the many of the pros Coach Frese has produced, specifically from the DMV area. My family is fairly close so they will be able to attend many games. Lastly, I was highly impressed by the academic programs Maryland offers specifically in business and entrepreneurship.”

Tamika Dudley, High School Head Coach and Team Durant AAU Coach on Jackson: “I am so excited for Jordyn's next chapter at the University of Maryland. I've had the privilege of watching her grow and mature into an amazing player and even better person. She is ready to come in and contribute to an already super talented Terps team and program. I truly believe this is the perfect fit for her. Looking forward to supporting her next season.”

MIMI THIERO

Forward

6-5

Sewickley, PA

Quaker Valley High School

IG: mimi_thiero2

Ranked No. 42 nationally by ESPN and four-star recruit
TribLive HSSN Girls Athlete of the Year (2025)
4A Player of the Year (2024)
Scored 578 points and grabbed 413 rebounds in her junior season, giving her 1,248 points and 915 rebounds for her career
Averaged 23.1 points and 16.5 rebounds per game last year
2025 USA Women's Basketball U19 National Team Trials Invitee
Played AAU on the Power 24 circuit for SLAAM
Also competed in track and field and owns the school record in the High Jump at 5’8
Took third place at state championships in the high jump in2024
Took second place in the high jump in 2024-25
District champion in high jump (2025)

Frese on Thiero: “Mimi Thiero is one of those players we say has a high ceiling. She comes from a family that have all played professionally, so she's grown up around the game. Her brother was a college star and currently plays for the LA Lakers. At 6-4 she can play inside and out with range that extends to the 3-point line. Watching Mimi, we saw the terrific potential for the player she can develop into. She already has attributes that can impact the game from day one. We are thrilled to welcome her and her family to College Park.”

Thiero on Maryland: “I chose the University of Maryland because of its excellent coaching staff that believes in me, and for the opportunity to develop my skills while competing at a high level!”

Ken Johns, Quaker Valley High School Head Coach on Thiero: “Maryland is a great fit for Mimi and Mimi is a great fit for the Terps. Having the opportunity to be in one of the best programs in the country with fantastic players and a great coaching staff is a wonderful opportunity for her. Being around that every day is going to help her reach her potential and she has a lot of it. She hasn’t even scratched the surface of it yet. Maryland is getting a great basketball player and an even better person. I’m excited for her and excited for Maryland.”

Jamal Woodson, SLAAM AAU Director/Head Coach, on Thiero: “Mimi has the highest ceiling of any player I’ve ever coached. Watching her growth, not just as a player, but as a young woman — has been incredible. She’s dedicated her life to the game she loves, and her work ethic, maturity, and leadership have inspired everyone around her. The entire SLAAM family couldn’t be more proud of her. She’s built for this next level, and we can’t wait to see her continue to shine at the University of Maryland under their amazing coaching staff. Mimi is proof that when talent meets dedication, greatness follows.”

EVA-GRACE YEBILA

Center

6-4

Hackney, London, England

City of London Academy Southwark

IG: eva.yebila

Competed in the EuroBasket U18 Division B this summer, where she averaged 5.4 points and led team with 6.7 rebounds
Named to Great Britain U18 national team and was third on the team in efficiency
In her second official season of basketball, led team to U18 women’s national cup championship and Division 1 championship
Women’s NBL1 League and Playoff National Champions 2024-2025
Named to Hoopsfix All Star Classic 2025 Team
Currently leading the academy league in blocks, fifth in rebounds
In the top 10 of Division 1 in efficiency

Frese on Yebila: “Eva appeared on our radar from relationships we built recruiting Isi. Eva was late to basketball, but at her size, her best basketball is ahead of her. We want her to give us an inside presence who can score and rebound in the paint. Eva and her family continue the British invasion and we're thrilled they chose to come to Maryland."

Yebila on Maryland: “I chose Maryland because of the visible strong relationships between everyone and the close family vibe I immediately felt. I immediately felt connected to the coaches and teammates, and the development and growth that could be provided was one of a kind.”

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