The Maryland men’s soccer team suffered a disappointing 2-0 loss to Michigan State.

Maryland men’s forward Colin Griffith scored on a penalty kick. He was one step away from giving the Terps the lead.

The junior went left but was confronted by Michigan goalie Isaiah Goldson. Griffith failed to score his first penalty attempt of the year. It was a costly mistake.

No. 2 Maryland struggled on Friday. He lost his first conference game to Michigan, 2–0, in Ann Arbor. The loss was the first in two months.

The Terps (8-2-5, 5-1-2 Big Ten) were scoreless for the first time in Big Ten play and their first game since Aug. 25. The conference results saw Maryland fall from first place with two games remaining, at least two points behind the leader.

Michigan (7-3-5, 2-3-4 Big Ten) has allowed six goals in its last three games, including five against Indiana in a 5-0 loss. Maryland has scored in every Big Ten contest this campaign and has an early chance to extend that streak.

Striker Sadam Masereka dribbled the ball down the right sideline and used his pace to get into the Wolverines’ box shortly after the match. Michigan defenseman Bryce Blevins slid, killing Masereka in the box.

(Leon Kohl’s injury cost Maryland men’s soccer in the second half against UCLA.)

The Terps were without their regular penalty taker Leon Kehl, who missed the game with an injury in the previous game. Striker Colin Griffith, who along with Kehl is considered the team’s top scorer, failed to convert.

Maryland’s first early penalty miss of the season proved costly.

Blevins crossed the ball into the center of the Terps penalty area. Wolverines defenseman Patrick O’Toole dove and headed the ball past goalkeeper Lorin Mack. O’Toole’s first career goal came just four minutes later after Maryland missed a penalty.

Michigan failed to strike during the same three games when it lost six. His goalless streak ended immediately after Griffith’s error. O’Toole’s marker was the Wolverines’ only shot on target in the half, but the teams were separated in the 45th minute.

Michigan’s second attempt on goal came four minutes after play restarted.

(No. 6 Maryland men’s soccer team can’t hold lead, tied with No. 19 UCLA, 1-1)

The Wolverines sent a cross into the penalty area. According to video review, the ball bounced into the hand of defender Bjarne Thiesen. Blevins converted the penalty to double Michigan’s lead in the 49th minute.

The Terps took 13 more shots than the Wolverines in the game and nine more in the second half alone. But Maryland couldn’t strike, even with multiple chances.

Griffith went past two Michigan defenders just outside the box. He dodged both and went one-on-one with Goldson. His shot hit the Wolverine goalkeeper but missed the post, and 10 minutes later his header hit the crossbar.

Midfielder Chris Steinleitner struck low from a Terps corner three minutes after Griffith hit the post, but Goldson kept it out. Goldson finished the season with a season-high nine saves. Seven came in the second period.

Maryland may rue missed chances against Michigan. The Terps enter the final week of the regular season with the Big Ten title still in their grasp, but they will need to defeat Rutgers and No. 1 Ohio State to lift the trophy.