As rain poured down onto Ludwig Field Sunday, Maryland women’s soccer made it out of the mud.
Just 31 seconds into the Terps’ eighth conference game against Northwestern, their goalless streak came to an end on a strike from Lilly Bane for Maryland’s first goal since Sept. 6.
Maryland continued the scoring wave for its best performance of the season up to this point, as the Terps held on to beat Northwestern, 2-1, for their first conference win of the season.
While Bane finished the goal, it was Jolie
Farmer who set it up. Farmer took the ball deep into Northwestern territory and delivered a perfect cross right to the foot of Bane, who didn’t miss the opportunity. The score marked the Terps’ quickest goal since 2015.
In the eighth minute, Maryland missed a chance to strike again. Morgan Shannon lofted a long cross into the box, bouncing to Peyton Bernard in open space right in front of the net. Bernard got her leg to the ball, but the high bounce was too much to handle.
Bernard had another great opportunity late in the half. In the 35th minute, Bernard launched a shot from outside the box, but a great save from Nyamma Nelson stopped what would have been a highlight-reel finish.
The Wildcats’ offense started to find their footing midway through the first half, but Maryland’s defense was up to the task.
In the 18th minute, Northwestern had its best chance, with Megan Norkett having a one-on-one opportunity, but Ava Paolini deflected the ball out of bounds to stifle the attack.
Norkett and Sarah O’Donnell looked to attack down Paolini’s side often, but the Terps’ right back held her own against the Wildcats’ forwards.
In the 29th minute, Northwestern was given a golden opportunity after being awarded a penalty kick. Norkett stepped up to take it, and while Faith Luckey guessed wrong, Norkett blasted the ball well over the crossbar.
After a back-and-forth first half, Maryland had the next huge opportunity, coming early in the second half. In the 50th minute, Mckinley Heaven attempted a shot that was saved but not handled fully by Nelson. However, no Terp could pounce on the rebound before it was regained by the Wildcats’ goalkeeper.
In the 57th minute, Heaven got another chance taken away by a spectacular save from Nelson, who punched a shot from point-blank range over the crossbar out of bounds.
However, on the ensuing corner kick, Maryland capitalized on their offensive pressure. Lisa McIntyre softly curled a shot into the top right corner that gave Nelson no chance to keep it out of the net, doubling the Terps’ lead in the 58th minute.
McIntyre’s insurance goal proved to be massive for the Terps, as Northwestern’s attack got on the scoresheet in the 69th minute. That breakthrough came off a beautiful shot from Carey Holland, who drove the ball right past Luckey into the back of the net.
With Maryland’s defense on the ropes, the Wildcats nearly doubled up in short succession. In the 72nd minute, Camryn Freeman got a boot to the ball in the box, but the shot deflected just off the crossbar and out of play.
Maryland’s offense almost stamped the win in the 85th minute, as a shot from Heaven deflected off the crossbar to keep the Wildcats in reach for the final five minutes of play.
Northwestern’s attack continued to push for a goal, and with just 17 seconds left, Norkett headed the ball just inches outside the net, as the Terps defense was able to hold on to preserve the one-goal win.
Three things to know
- The offense arrived. After seven games without a goal in Big Ten play, Maryland’s attack broke through in a big way, scoring twice to propel the Terps. The goals were not the only stat that showed vast improvement. Maryland had 12 shots and six shots on goal, with the latter number being the Terps’ highest in Big Ten play.
- Lilly Bane, what a game. Bane had been one of the Maryland attackers who showed signs of offensive potential throughout Big Ten play, and that potential fully shone through despite the rainy conditions. Bane’s goal broke the seal that eventually turned into a flood of offense, and she assisted on McIntyre’s ultimate game-winner.
- Faith Luckey takes it home. Luckey was lockdown all game for Maryland and came up with some big saves down the stretch. In the 84th minute, Luckey stopped what would have been a game-tying goal from Elle Phillips, one of seven saves from the Terps’ goalkeeper in the game.
