As darkness began to fall, the sun set on Maryland’s shutout win streak.
A header from Old Dominion defender Ashlynn Kulha found the back of the net in the 48th minute, sealing the Terps’ 2-0 loss on the road Sunday at Old Dominion. It’s the first loss of their young season as they move to 3-1.
Maryland took the field donning its yellow away kits as the Monarchs kicked off the match. Old Dominion applied pressure, but an early challenge was quickly cut off by captain Tahirah Turnage-Morales. Goalkeeper
Faith Luckey then made a clutch block off a shot from Yuliia Khrystiuk and forced another pair of shots high.
The Terps surged back with a signature sideline cross from Kelsey Smith to Alyssa Abramsson that was just cleared wide after the shot.
The Monarchs then returned the favor in the seventh minute, as a shot from Katie McCormick was again scooped by the busy Luckey. Old Dominion continued to maintain composure and flustered Mia Mitchell, pushing the attacker to the grass and forcing a yellow card. The resulting free kick was underwhelming, ending in an errant pass that was cleared by Taryn Raibon.
Kulha then committed a foul on defense, allowing Ava Morales a perilous free kick that came up just short of the goal line.
The first goal of the match then came from the foot of Gry Boe Thrysøe in the 22nd minute. Thrysøe booted the ball high over Luckey’s outstretched hands into the post, which then bounced down onto the goal line and out of the goal. After a long review, the first goal allowed by Maryland this season was awarded.
Old Dominion continued to attack, with a shot from Koto Davis sailing just high. Thrysøe then rocketed another shot just wide left as Maryland began to look overwhelmed by the Monarchs’ attack. Ashley Economopoulos then boxed out a Maryland defender and jolted down the left side before unloading on a shot that was perfectly absorbed by the exhausted Luckey.
As time began to wind down in the half, Kate Hawley took a corner that sailed across the pitch resulting in a throw in. A chance from DeMartino was just scooped up by goalkeeper Erin Jones.
Maryland was simply unable to create any offensive opportunity and seemed unprepared for a surprisingly aggressive Old Dominion frontline. As the half ended, the Terps’ shutout streak had come to an end as the score remained 1-0.
The match slipped further from Maryland’s grasp after a free kick bounced off of Kulha’s head to double the Monarch lead. A miscommunication seemed to occur on the backline as three different Monarch attackers were allowed into the six-yard box.
Maryland appeared to lose a step after that mishap, allowing another pair of shots to sail just wide. Morales’ impatience seemed to overtake her as an errant pass returned possession to the Monarchs on a rare offensive push.
Over 20 minutes of stalemate followed as neither team could overtake the other. Head coach Michael Marchiano made three substitutions in the midfield, attempting to reorganize Maryland’s attack. This proved somewhat successful, as a promising Egeland cross was snagged by Jones.
Another run in the 81st minute was quickly stifled by Old Dominion as it regained control once more. This ended up being Maryland’s last run of the contest. Morales was then subbed out, holding her stomach and limping as she made her way to the bench.
As the final whistle blew, the Terps hung their heads. Old Dominion controlled the match from the kickoff, earning their first win against a Power Five school since 2012.
Three things to know
1. First loss of the season. After three-straight shutout wins, the Terps were simply outmatched against Old Dominion. While the season’s start remains promising, Maryland has some serious work ahead of it as the beginning of conference play inches closer.
2. Second-half stalls continue. Maryland’s production as a whole had seemed to slow in the second half of their three previous matches, and tonight was no different. Minimal offensive drive and mishaps on defense capped off their loss Sunday. The Terps must hone in on their conditioning as well as their mentality in late-match scenarios ahead of tougher matches.
3. -19. That number was the shot deficit from this contest, as all Maryland offensive efforts were rendered utterly useless. If not for seven sensational saves from Luckey, the score could have been far worse. The Terps will need to seriously rethink their offensive gameplan in order to bounce back next week against Navy.
