The Terps dominated play before conceding three consecutive goals.
In the 83rd minute, the ball got past all of Maryland women’s soccer’s defenders, as well as goalkeeper Liz Beardsley, as Milan Pierre-Jerome scored to give George Mason the lead late. The play clearly caught the Terps’ back line off-guard, as Josie Stockett’s game-winning assist split two defenders.
After holding a two-goal lead in the first half, Maryland conceded three consecutive scores and suffered its second loss of the season, 3-2, in disastrous fashion.
“Everyone’s up for us, so we can’t take us granted.” Maryland head coach Meghan Ryan Nemzer said. “We took our foot off the pedal when it was 2-0, and we can’t do that against anyone.”
Maryland (2-2-2) looked like the superior team for the majority of Sunday’s match. However, chances didn’t necessarily equate to goals, as George Mason (2-2-2) earned the win in thrilling fashion.
“Well, kudos to them. They have three shots on goal. They put three in the back of the net. I thought we produced a lot,” Ryan Nemzer said. “I think our shot selection needs to be better in the final third, but thought that we possessed much of the ball and had several shots, and was just unfortunate for tonight.”
Despite Maryland’s dominance, the Patriots got off to a hot start against a shaken-up Terps lineup. Michi Hooks beat Beardsley with a shot, but the ball hit the left post, denying her of a goal in the second minute.
The Terps notched their first shot on net in the fifth minute, with Madison Krakower’s low left boot being saved by Selamawit Caldart.
After dominating possession and getting a few chances, the Terps connected in the 14th minute. Emily Lenhard set up Taryn Raibon with a slot pass, allowing Raibon to rocket it past Caldart. It was Raibon’s first career goal, giving Maryland an early lead in the opening half.
The Terps kept the pressure on, hemming George Mason in its own end. The play was almost solely in the Terps’ attacking zone as they continued to generate chances, corners and shots.
Shortly after, in the 33rd minute, the Terps struck again. This time, it was Katie Coyle, who potted her first goal of the season. She received the ball, swerved into the box and rocketed it home outside of the penalty area to double Maryland’s lead.
George Mason didn’t go away easily, though, capitalizing on an opportunity of its own in the 38th minute. Beardsley saved two shots before Hooks eventually netted one when Beardsley was caught out of position, cutting Maryland’s lead to one.
The first half concluded with Maryland defending a free kick. George Mason gained some momentum after scoring its first, but the half was largely controlled by Maryland. Maryland led the Patriots in shot attempts (10-3), shots on goal (5-1) and corners (5-0).
Caldart made three massive saves, keeping the score within a reasonable margin. Meanwhile, Beardsley recorded two.
It was George Mason who applied the pressure to begin the second half, as it secured the game-tying goal. Kiyomi McCausland scored off the rebound of a Beardsley save, tying the contest. Pierre-Jerome earned the assist on George Mason’s second goal.
Despite Maryland dominating play and taking a 2-0 lead, the game was now deadlocked at two apiece. The Terps looked committed to take back the lead, controlling possession following the tying goal. Kelsey Smith almost reclaimed the lead for Maryland, but hit the crossbar with a shot.
Maryland organized itself well offensively, continuing to generating corners, but failed to steal back the lead. Caldart kept stymying Maryland’s offense, stopping shot after shot. One of her most monumental saves was a leaping one on a Smith shot.
The Terps induced pressure on George Mason’s defense, but was unable to connect as easily as in the first half. Maryland impressed in its ability to take the lead, but later faltered, giving up another goal and losing the match in the latter half.
Maryland led both teams in shot attempts (20-8), shots on net (9-6) and corners (9-1). Even still, George Mason emerged victorious Sunday.
Three things to know
1. A match that got away. It looked like Maryland was going to stroll to an easy victory on Sunday night, as it outclassed George Masson throughout most of the match. A 2-0 lead was built in the first half, but things went down hill from there. George Mason scored the ensuing three goals, beating Beardsley and stealing the game from Maryland.
“Yeah, the biggest thing is just mentality. Got to respond back to it.” Ryan Nemzer said. “Got to get back to sort of playing … how we want to play.”
2. Beardsley struggles. Beardsley did not have a good showing against George Mason, allowing three goals on just six shots on net. She made three saves, two of which were rebounded into goals for George Mason. This marks the first time this season Beardsley struggled.
3. Domination, but a loss. Maryland led in every statistical category with the exception of goals. It held possession for longer, outshooting and out-chancing George Mason. Yet, the Terps left with a loss in disappointing fashion.