Maryland women’s soccer vs. Ohio State final score, with three things to know from the Terps’ 4-0 loss

Maryland women’s soccer (3-10-1, 1-5) dropped their fourth straight Thursday to Ohio State, 4-0.

The Buckeyes (8-4-2, 2-2-2) scored 1:34 into the game and added another goal a minute later. Katelyn Jensen made some good saves in goal, but once again did not get any help from her defense.

The Terps suffered multiple communication breakdowns on the back line, which led to several wide open shots for Ohio State. These shots continued in the second half, and the Buckeyes scored two more goals.

Just like Sunday, the Terps gave up opportunities but couldn’t create them. Maryland was outshot 17-8, and didn’t keep the ball for long when it had possession. When you put bad defense and a struggling offense together, you have the recipe for a loss.

Ohio State’s first goal came in the second minute by taking advantage of the Terps’ defensive breakdowns. Lindsay Agnew was wide open on the left side of the net, and had her first shot blocked by Jensen before putting in the rebound. Jensen made a solid save, but had no chance to save the second one.

Just a minute later, the Buckeyes scored again. The Terps cleared a Buckeye corner out of the box, but Emma Firenze fired a shot that bent into the right side of the goal. Like so many games this year, Maryland dug themselves into another early hole.

While Ohio State flourished, Maryland struggled. The Terps couldn’t string passes together, and couldn’t get any breaks when they had opportunities.

In the ninth minute, Chelsea Jackson and Jarena Harmon had touches in the box, but couldn’t get a shot off. Then in the 31st minute, Jlon Flippen’s free kick hit an Ohio State player and bounced off the the right crossbar.

Despite the struggles, Maryland still had five shots in the first half, one more than they had all of Sunday.

It was more of the same in the second half. Agnew sent a cross into the box, and Sammy Edwards put in a wide open shot. Edwards added another goal in the 59th minute, a wide open shot off a cross from Nicole Miyashiro.

Maryland had a chance to score on a corner kick in the 87th minute, but Lisa Bianchini had a shot blocked.

Three things to know

1. Maryland has major problems on defense: The storyline remains the same. The Terps were porous on defense again Thursday night, giving up two goals in the first three minutes and another two in the second half. Ohio State didn’t have to work for any opportunities: Maryland gave them enough by leaving players wide open.
2. It was an off night for Jarena Harmon and Chelsea Jackson: It was a forgettable night for the highest-scoring duo in the Big Ten. They combined for just three shots, and didn’t have the chance to make plays around the goal. Harmon was also tripped up and pushed multiple times in the first half, one time resulting in a yellow card against Ohio State’s Arden Holden.
3. The defending champs are coming: Sunday could be an even tougher matchup for Maryland, as national champion and No. 14 Penn State comes to Ludwig. It’s tough to see the Terps being competitive, as they have scored only one goal in three games against ranked opponents this season.