Maryland women's soccer loses 2-1 to Ohio State in double overtime

Maryland women's soccer played quite well, and had chances to score Sunday against Ohio State despite being outshot 23-9. They took a lead in the 60th minute, but Ohio State equalized 14 minutes later, and won the game with a goal 43 seconds into the second overtime period.

First Half

Ohio State started the half looking as if it would completely overmatch Maryland, dominating possession and shot opportunities. Just 30 seconds in, Ohio State's Nichelle Prince had a one-on-one chance with Maryland goalkeeper Rachelle Beanlands, but Beanlands did well to come off her line and make the save. The chance came after an errant pass by the Maryland backline, which also happened in the 30th minute, drawing Beanlands out yet again to make a slide tackle before the Buckeyes could get a shot off.

Prince, who was a problem all night, had another good look in the ninth minute, taking a shot from just outside the box that was tipped over the bar on a very nice save from Beanlands. Despite looking like the better team for the first 15 minutes or so, Ohio State really didn't generate too many true goal-scoring chances. And after that initial domination, the Terrapins really began to turn things around.

Alex Anthony took Maryland's first shot, receiving the ball with her back to goal in the 14th minute and making a turn before firing wide from distance. The ball stayed in the midfield for stretches of the first half, with the next shot of the game coming from Prince in the 28th. Prince once again got behind the Maryland defense, this time having been played through with a pass from her own team. Beanlands came up big with a save on Prince's shot which was driven low and hard to the near post.

A shot from Maisie McCune after a missed clearance from Ohio State in the 30th went wide, as did an Anthony effort from close-range five minutes later. Anthony showed her skill again on that shot, turning her defender with a very nice touch before firing toward the back post from close-range.

Maryland defender Kayla Shea picked up a yellow card in the 40th minute for a tackle 25 yards outside the box. Nikki Walts went for goal from the free kick, but Beanlands jumped straight up to catch the ball, making a rather tough save look routine. It was Ohio State's fifth and final shot of the half, outshooting the Terrapins 5-3. The Buckeyes also earned three corners without allowing Maryland one.

Second Half

Ohio State outshot the Terrapins 14-4 in the second half, with all four of Maryland's shots coming from Alex Anthony. She made good with the second one, scoring in the 60th minute to give Maryland a 1-0 lead. Anthony yet again beat a defender with her back to goal, making a turn on a pass from Kayla Shea.

Anthony collected the pass with her chest 25 yards from goal, took one more touch to create space before quickly firing a rocket low that rattled in off the left post. Ohio State keeper Jillian McVicker had no chance to make the save. It was Anthony's eighth goal of the season and Kayla Shea's first assist, and the score came against the run of play.

Ohio State had nearly scored the game's first goal with a very good look at goal off a corner kick in the 54th minute. Beanlands punched out the initial corner, but didn't get much on the ball, and the Buckeyes' Sydney Dudley having an uncontested shot with Beanlands a bit off her line, but four Maryland defenders stationed on the goal-line. Dudley fired just high, and the game remained scoreless.

The Buckeyes unloaded a barrage of shots on the Terrapins in the second half, and most were rather good looks at goal. They finally broke through in the 74th off a penalty kick. Ohio State earned a throw in deep in Maryland's territory and the ball ended up on the foot of Michela Paradiso at the corner of the 6-yard box. Kayla Shea came over and dispossessed Paradiso, but was called for the penalty. It was a close call, with Shea inserting herself between Paradiso and the ball, and knocking Paradiso over in the process. When the contact was made, it could be argued Shea had already earned possession.

Nonetheless, the penalty was called, and Nikki Walts equalized from the spot, shooting right as Beanlands went left. The Buckeyes possibly should've taken the lead four minutes later, as Prince crossed to Paradiso at point-blank range, but Paradiso couldn't handle it cleanly and sent the ball wide.

Maryland also had some chances to take a lead late, with the Terrapins earning a dangerous free kick, and later narrowly missing on a pass that would have sent Anthony through on goal in the 83rd and 84th minutes, respectively.

Both teams traded opportunities as the clock winded down, with Beanlands having to make one more one-on-one save with Prince, who found herself behind the defense in the 88th minute. Beanlands made the play, to go along with another impressive save in the 86th, and the game went to overtime tied 1-1.

Overtime

Maryland created a chance just over a minute into overtime, with Lisa Bianchini crossing the ball into the box and finding Anthony in front of goal. Anthony took the shot, but McVickers sprawled out and was able to stop it with her right leg.

As it turned out, that would be the best look at goal for either team in the first overtime, though Beanlands did make a difficult save in the 98th, when Prince fired low from the top of the box and the keeper was shielded by several players from both teams.

Second Overtime

The Buckeyes scored just 43 seconds into the second overtime period, and the play was, of course, orchestrated by Nichelle Prince. Prince played a through ball to Sarah Roberts, who found Paradiso 10 yards in front of goal. The Maryland defense shifted over to get behind Paradiso, and she responded by playing a backpass to a wide open Prince, who scored from 12 yards out.

Analysis

Obviously, any double overtime loss hurts, but this one stings a little bit extra for a couple of reasons. Anthony's opportunity in the first overtime is one she'd probably tell you she should've finished. The cross was a bit behind her, but it was still a good look at goal.

Secondly, the Terrapins played some of their best defense of the season. The Terrapins were credited with blocking four shots, but the true figure was probably more than double that. They swarmed to the ball in the box better than they have all year, though unfortunately that is what led to Ohio State's golden goal.

As impressive as the defense was, it was Alex Anthony, Nichelle Prince and Rachelle Beanlands who shined in thisgame. Anthony was an absolute terror in her limited chances, beating a defender or two or three just about every time she received the ball.

Prince has a combination of speed and skill that Maryland's defense couldn't really keep up with, which leads us to Beanlands. The senior keeper was an absolute star, making nine saves and a few other plays that don't go down in the final stats. The game wasn't as lopsided as Thursday's match with Penn State, but Beanlands might have had a better game this afternoon than she did against the Nittany Lions.

Maryland returned to an unbalanced offense, with Anthony taking seven of the team's nine shots, and all four of the shots on goal. Prince took eight shots, but five other Buckeyes took multiple shots in the game.

The Terrapins (5-9, 0-6) play Indiana (3-7-5, 0-4-3) on the road next Thursday night before returning home to face Purdue (7-6-1, 2-4-1) on Sunday.