Men’s Soccer Tests No. 4 Maryland, Falls In PKs, 4-3

Sunday, November 23

College Park, Md.

1 PM

North Carolina

9-5-6, 2-2-4

Maryland

12-1-4, 8-0-2

North Carolina

Maryland

November 23, 2025 | Men's Soccer

Box Score

COLLEGE PARK, MD. – The University of North Carolina men's soccer team gave fourth-seeded Maryland all it could handle in the NCAA Championship second round, but fell in penalties 4-3 on Sunday. The Heels spent most of the match on the front foot and pushed the Terps, who have only trailed for 90 seconds this season, to the brink.

Maryland got on the board late in the first half on a well-executed break, but Nacho Abeal equalized in the 54th minute off assists from Bertil Rygaard Hansen and Gabriel Bracken Serra. The Heels had a couple of half-chances throughout the remainder of the half and Andrew Cordes came up with a huge save with 30 seconds left in OT to send the match to penalties.

Maryland missed their first penalty, but the Heels were unable to convert two of their remaining four, allowing the Terps to advance to the third round.

The Tar Heels finished the 2025 campaign at 9-5-6, while the Terrapins improved to 12-1-4.

How It Happened

17' – Maryland slipped past the UNC defense but a loose touch sent the ball out of play for a goal kick.
24' – UMD's Luca Costabile stung a shot from outside the box but it drifted over the bar.
25' – Carolina faked a long throw and took it short, allowing Andrew Czech to creep in and get a shot off that was deflected out for a corner.
40' – Immanuel Mathe was shown yellow for pulling back a Terp.
43' – Maryland caught UNC on the break and Rocket Ritarita buried one in the bottom left corner.
52' – Luca Nikolai hit one from outside the box but it went straight at the keeper.
52' – Callum Frogson saw yellow for a hard foul.
52' – Nikolai blasted a volley into side of the net, nearly catching Maryland's keeper out.
54' – Nacho Abeal equalized for the Heels. Bertil Rygaard Hansen got to the end line and cut it back for Gabriel Bracken Serra, who touched it on to Abeal for him to bury it in the bottom left corner.
80' – Luca Nikolai received a yellow card.
84' – Maryland's head coach picked up a yellow.
86' – Maryland got off a long-range shot but Andrew Cordes was equal to the task.
88' – Bertil Rygaard Hansen almost found the bottom left corner with an excellent strike but Laurin Mack as able to tip it past the post.
95' – Maryland shouted for a penalty but the official rightfully waived it off after a VAR check.
106' – Luca Nikolai blasted one just high off a corner kick.
107' – Andrew Czech saw yellow for breaking up play.
110' – Andrew Cordes came up with a huge save with just 30 seconds remaining on a header right at the six-yard box.

Tar Heel Tidbits

The Tar Heels were playing in their 32nd NCAA Tournament, which is tied for the 11th most appearances in the nation.
The Heels are now 43-25-14 all-time in the NCAA Tournament and 18-9-10 under Carlos Somoano.
Nacho Abeal scored his seventh goal of the season and the 18th of his career.
Gabriel Bracken Serra picked up his fifth assist of the season and the 18th of his career.
Bertil Rygaard Hansen bagged his fourth assist of the season and sixth of his career.