Maryland women’s soccer upsets No. 20 Rutgers 2-1

The red-hot Maryland women’s soccer team put on a show in New Jersey Saturday night, as it took down No. 20 Rutgers for the program’s first road win in over two years.

The Terrapins got off to a fast start, scoring two goals in the first half to carry them to the historic 2-1 win.

Maryland’s victory marks its first against a ranked opponent since a win over No. 14 Northwestern in November 2018. The Terrapins now have two wins in conference play through three games, matching their total from last season.

Maryland outshot the Scarlet Knights 6-4 in the first half, but the second period was a different story. Rutgers ended the game with five more shots than the Terps, but two fewer on goal.

Leading scorer Alyssa Poarch got things going for Maryland in the 22nd minute. The forward soared down the field on a breakaway chance, maneuvering her way around two defenders before sending the ball past diving Scarlet Knights’ goalkeeper Meagan McClelland to put Maryland up 1-0.

Midfielder Hope Lewandoski followed Poarch with a goal of her own later in the first half, as she booted a shot from 10 feet out that bounced off the goalie into the back of the net.

Terrapin goalkeeper Erin Seppi shined in her return to her hometown, posting six saves. But in the 63rd minute, Rutgers got one back, as midfielder Julia Aronov netted one in her first start of the season.

The goal wouldn’t faze Maryland though, who held on to its two first half goals to grab its first win over the Scarlet Knights since 2014.

Three things to know

1. Alyssa Poarch is automatic. Forward Alyssa Poarch netted her sixth goal of the season in just the 11th game. The leading scorer had just two goals and six points in her freshman campaign, but has made quite the adjustment this year. Poarch’s sixth goal against Rutgers matched the team’s leading scorer’s total from 2018.
2. Home sweet not so home? The loss to Maryland is just the sixth loss in the last five years at home for Rutgers. The Scarlet Knights began the year dominant at home, but have now dropped their last two in New Jersey following losses to Wisconsin and Maryland.
3. A new era in the Big Ten. The Terrapins took home their second conference win of the season after defeating Rutgers — their second in a row. The team won just three Big Ten games in the last two seasons combined.