Maryland women’s soccer put on a defensive masterclass against Nebraska, holding the Cornhuskers to just four shots and two shots on goal all game. The Terps’ first shutout of Big Ten play followed up a season-worst performance against Minnesota.
Unfortunately, the attack continued its stretch of lackluster offensive production. Maryland’s seventh consecutive scoreless game neutralized the defensive display, leading to the Terps’ 0-0 draw to Nebraska.
Maryland’s offense looked its best right out of the
gate as it controlled possession early, pushing the ball downfield. The Terps’ midfield controlled the middle third as they sent long passes down the field.
Despite the pressure in the attacking half, Maryland’s forwards couldn’t beat Nebraska’s backline.
The Cornhuskers’ defense gave no space to the Terps’ forwards. In the 10th minute, Peyton Bernard and Mckinley Heaven fired the ball towards the goal, but both shots were blocked by defenders before they reached the goal.
The script was similar for the closing minutes of the game, as Maryland’s offense showed an urgency that they have lacked on the offensive side of the ball.
The Terps’ attack controlled almost all of the possession in the final 10 minutes of play, but like the early burst, Maryland couldn’t find the right opportunity to break the deadlock.
“I think in general the fitness levels of everybody that’s out there aren’t perfect, so there’s a fluctuation in the level of collective performance,” head coach Michael Marchiano said. “And again, I think when you play against a good team that’s naturally gonna ebb and flow… I’m not super upset at the way that the game ebbed and flowed tonight.”
In the 87th minute, Bernard had an opportunity to create a breakaway with Jolie Farmer in position to give her support, but an extra dribble instead of a slip pass led to a costly turnover.
It was the exclamation point on a trend that had started early in the contest.
Bernard was the main point of attack early, but she was marred by too many touches, which allowed defenders to recover. She had multiple looks erased, and she turned the ball over in dangerous positions on multiple occasions.
It took until the 44th minute for the first shot on goal of the game, when senior Lisa McIntyre lofted a ball toward the net that Avery Gillahan saved easily. Maryland’s first-half defense locked down the Cornhuskers’ offense. It was led by Paige Foye, who had missed the previous game with a red card suspension.
Foye was all over the field for the Terps’ defense, intercepting passes and sealing off defenders in dangerous positions. In the 40th minute, Nathalie Lewis had a chance to start a breakaway, but Foye was there to block off Lewis from the ball and clear the threat.
“[Foye] is very strong. We need her in tough situations,” goalkeeper Faith Luckey said. “She’s definitely a great piece to have in our backline.”
In the 48th minute, Maryland had an opportunity to create some offense, with Lilly Bane stepping up to take a free kick. Despite having open players on both sides of her, Bane sent the ball well over the crossbar.
In the 58th minute, Jolie Farmer raced down the sideline and received the ball behind the Nebraska backline, getting taken down just outside the box. Maryland had another chance at a free-kick, but again the opportunity was wasted without the Terps getting off a shot.
Capitalizing on set pieces proved to be an issue all game for Maryland. The Terps had many chances from set pieces, but came up empty each time. Nebraska’s offense struggled with set pieces as well, not being able to create chances from its six corners.
“It’s a combination of the quality of the service and the bravery and timing of the run,” Marchiano said. “I mean, there’s a million little things that go into the set pieces, but it’s just not clicking.”
In the 68th minute, Maryland’s defense faced an unfortunately familiar challenge, as Foye was taken out of the game with an injury. In just over 110 minutes without Foye in the UCLA and Minnesota games, the Terps allowed six goals and struggled to hold off opposing offenses.
This time, Maryland held on for just over five minutes until Foye checked back into the game, preserving the eventual shutout.
The draw broke Maryland’s six-game losing streak, but the lack of offense continues to hold the Terps back from their first conference win.
Three things to know
- Maryland’s defense bounces back. After a season-worst four goals conceded against Minnesota, the Terps defense recovered to allow just four total shots against Nebraska. While Foye led the pack, it was a great all-around defensive effort, and the midfield contributed heavily to the defensive performance.
- Daryn Barnes makes her debut. Barnes had not played at all this season while recovering from an ACL injury, but Marchiano had high praise for the freshman.
“Darren has electric speed. She has the ability to win one-versus-one duels and make something out of the game,” Marchiano said.
- 17 players. That’s how many different players got playing time against Nebraska, with just five playing over 70 minutes in the game. Marchiano rotated the squad consistently, and with just five games left in the season, the Terps hope to find the perfect combination sooner rather than later.
