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Maryland women’s soccer (3-9-1, 1-4-0) had a tough outing in a 3-1 loss to Michigan (9-1-1, 5-0-0) Sunday.
The Wolverines dominated, limiting the Terps’ opportunities on offense while putting almost constant pressure on Maryland’s defense.
On offense, Maryland only recorded four shots, and the Wolverines had more goals than Maryland had shots until 15 minutes remained in the second half. Maryland failed to string a few passes together, and Michigan did a great job limiting Jarena Harmon’s playmaking ability. Chelsea Jackson saved the Terps from a shutout by being in the right place at the right time and heading in a corner kick in the 79th minute.
Goalie Rachel Egyed got her first start in seven games and made some nice plays, but didn’t get any help from Maryland’s defense. The Terps didn’t get any pressure on any of Michigan’s goals, and Egyed was left out to dry.
Early in the first half, Michigan ran their offense through forward Nicky Waldeck. The senior scored a hat trick in an upset win over No. 19 Rutgers, and had the hot hand again today.
In the 16th minute, Waldeck had the ball on the left side but Egyed came out to pick it up. Egyed denied Waldeck again when she came out to make a save in the 22nd minute, but also collided with Madison Turner on the play.
It was miscommunication like that that allowed Michigan to get on the board in the 23rd minute. The Terps were triple teaming Waldeck on the right side, so she sent a pass to a wide open Jackie White, who scored easily.
Meanwhile, the Terps struggled to get anything going on offense, getting just two shots in the first half. Maryland’s best chance came in the 29th minute, when Turner tried to get a shot off but was blocked by Michigan goalie Sarah Jackson. Off the rebound, Chelsea Jackson put a shot wide.
Michigan continued to get good looks on goal, and scored again in the 43rd minute. Reilly Martin made a nice move to get past Hope Gouterman, and Turner stepped up on her, leaving Emma Groffsky wide open for an easy goal.
Martin got a goal of her own in the second half. She had the ball on the right side but tripped over Kate Waters before getting back up and putting in a lazer over Egyed.
The Terps continued to struggle on offense, not getting a shot in the half until Jackson scored in the 79th minute. It was Jackson’s ninth goal of the season, which moves her ahead of Harmon for most goals on the team.
Three things to know
- Maryland’s offense was nonexistent: Today was Maryland’s worst offensive showing of the season. The Terps had just four shots, and rarely challenged Michigan goalie Sarah Jackson. For a team that has struggled mightily on defense this year, it’s impossible for the Terps to have a chance if they can’t get anything going on offense.
- The defense wasn’t much better: It was the same old story for Maryland’s back line Sunday. Michigan had plenty of opportunities and scored on wide-open shots in front of the net. Egyed made some nice plays in goal, but can only do so much when the defense allows shots from point blank range.
- It only gets tougher next week: After playing a solid Michigan team, the Terps will welcome two of the Big Ten’s best to Ludwig Field next weekend. They take on Ohio State on Thursday, who is unranked but No. 21 in RPI, and defending national champion Penn State on Sunday.