The Terps adjusted well, but couldn’t find an equalizer.
Maryland women’s soccer showed some bright spots on Sunday, but was snake bitten by an early Illinois penalty kick.
The Terps had some threatening opportunities throughout the match, but they never overcame Sarah Foley’s penalty kick goal.
The early tally was all Illinois needed to fend off Maryland for a 1-0 victory.
“First 45 minutes, we were on our heels, and then we made some adjustments at halftime, and I thought the second half adjustments resulted in more urgency to go to goal, more opportunities,” Maryland head coach Meghan Ryan Nemzer said.
The Terps got the ball to start of the match and put in good work in the first minute. The Terps got a corner from pushing possession up the pitch on the opening whistle, but the chance was easily cleared away by the Illinois defense.
The play quickly shift to the other side of the field. Illinois produced its first shot attempt, but it was blocked and led to the Illini’s first corner. The corner failed, though, as Maryland’s back line was anchored well by Tahirah Turnage-Morales.
Illinois got a threatening chance off a turnover by Turnage-Morales, as her pass attempt back to Liz Beardsley was intercepted by Illinois. Beardsley was well out of position and had to run back, but the Terps’ defense held strong and prevented antother shot.
In the 17th minute, Illinois was awarded a penalty kick. Katie Coyle fouled Mya Archibald inside the box and received a yellow card. Foley took the penalty kick for Illinois and shot it straight up the middle past Beardsley, who dove right out of the way of the shot. Foley gave the Illini an early first-half lead and created a complete momentum shift toward Illinois.
In the 23rd minute, Beardsley made a spectacular diving stop with her left hand on Lia Howard’s shot with an Illinois scrum in front. The Illinois offensive wave produced a corner, which ended in a goal kick.
Beardsley was at it again in the 29th minute, making two consecutive saves. Claire Murray’s original shot produced a rebound off Beardsley to the foot of Emma Yee, who forced Beardsley to make another impressive save, this time with her legs.
“Yeah, Liz in the first half came up big to keep it 1-0, I mean, and that’s what Liz does. I mean, I feel very calm with her. … Liz was huge for us.” Ryan Nemzer said
Maryland took its first two shot attempts in the 33rd and 34th minute, both Ava Morales and Kelsey Smith missed high.
Illinois dominated possession and was clearly the better team in the first 45 minutes. The Illini outshot the Terps, 11-2, in the first half with four shots on goal, while Maryland didn’t produce one. Corners also favored Illinois in the first half, 3-1.
Maryland looked better to start the second half, getting chances with offensive zone pressure, but could not muster a shot.
“Yeah, I mean, we switched formations at halftime, but we also spoke about playing a little bit more on their half. They were pressing us and trying to play short,” Ryan Nemzer said.
Maryland started building chances around the 66th minute, as Kate Hawley took a one-touch shot on net from a Lauren Wrigley cross. Izzy Lee made a diving save, though, squandering Maryland’s first and only shot on goal.
“I thought that we did a good job competing for first and second balls in the second half. … we spoke about imposing our will on them in the second half and carrying their backs more,” Ryan Nemzer said.
In the 70th minute, Taryn Raibon hit the crossbar with a shot as Maryland sustained some significant pressure. Maryland got another threatening chance around the 72nd minute, as the Terps drew a corner that was well defended.
“I felt like we were on their half. I felt like one [goal] was coming as well, but it was too much of a slow start for us in the first 45 minutes,” Ryan Nemzer said.
Maryland’s momentum thawed out in the final 20 minutes of the match, as Illinois maintained most of the possession near midfield. The Terps made some good adjustments in the second half, but were unable get that perfect push and find the back of the net. Ultimately, they couldn’t counter the kill-clock strategy from Illinois and surrendered another defeat.
Illinois led Maryland in shots (14-5) and shots on goal (5-1), but both teams earned three corner kicks. It was Illinois’ first Big Ten victory this season.
Three things to know
1. Penalty kick was the difference. In the 17th minute, Illinois earned a golden opportunity and took full advantage of it. The Terps surrendered their first penalty kick of the season, as they have been disciplined in that category this season. Foley made Beardsley look foolish, as she completely tricked the keeper for the goal.
2. Painful moments. Throughout Sunday’s match, there were a few moments when Maryland players went down and needed to be checked by the training staff. Wrigley left the match for a bit with an apparent injury, but later returned. Hallie Johnson had to leave play twice as she was shaken up, but returned on both occasions. Raibon also needed to be checked by the training staff, but didn’t have to leave the match.
3. Beardsley stood tall. With the exception of being fooled by a penalty kick, Beardsley was once again a bright spot for Maryland. She made four saves on the day.
“I think the biggest thing for us is making sure that, once again, that she continues to have confidence. Because she definitely kept us in the game and allowed us to have a fighting chance,” Ryan Nemzer said.