Mullins scores as No. 8 Maryland tops Tulsa 2-1

COLLEGE PARK, Md. -- Senior Patrick Mullins was involved in both goals as No. 8 Maryland defeated No. 23 Tulsa 2-1 at Ludwig Field on Tuesday night.

The Terrapins (4-2-3, 3-0-1 ACC) dominated play against the Golden Hurricane (5-4-1) for most of the night. Mullins and freshman Michael Sauers sparked a Terrapin offense that outshot Tulsa 16-11 and earned 10 corner kicks.

The first half started with an early onslaught from the Terps. Sophomore Tsubasa Endoh sailed a 25-yard rocket just over the bar, before Sauers had two attempts that were saved by Tulsa keeper Jake McGuire.

Mullins helped put the Terps in front in the 24th minute. Mullins, a senior, sent in a dangerous low cross from the left side that turned into an own goal after confusion in the Tulsa defense in front of the goalmouth.

Freshman Zack Steffen kept the Terps ahead late in the first half with a beautiful save of Bryce Folllensbee’s shot in a 1-on-1 situation.

The Terps continued their strong offensive play in the second half and had several chances to blow the game open. Mullins gave the Terps a 2-0 lead from the penalty spot in the 54th minute after Sauers was brought down in the box by a Tulsa defender.

That tally, the 33rd of Mullins’ career, put him past Otto Winklemann and Oyton Tertemiz and into seventh on Maryland’s all-time goals list.

The Golden Hurricane pulled a goal back in the 64th minute when Tony Rocha put in a free kick that trickled past Steffen. From there, a Terrapin defense led by sophomore Mikey Ambrose and freshman Alex Crognale prevented Tulsa from finding an equalizer.

“We’re glad to get our first non-conference win and against a high-quality Tulsa side,” head coach Sasho Cirovski said. “I thought we were in control of the match until about 65 minutes when they got the goal. It was good that we found a way to grind out a win. It wasn’t pretty at times but we made enough plays to win the game against a good team and we are going to learn from this one.

“It was unfortunate that we weren’t up a few more because we certainly left a lot more chances on the table again and that part has me feeling a little hollow.”