The Terps made a four-goal fourth-quarter comeback but fell short.
No. 7 Maryland women’s lacrosse trailed No. 14 Penn by three goals heading into the fourth quarter, the same deficit it faced heading into the final period of last season’s loss to Penn. The Terps had an opportunity to avenge that loss.
After attacker Anna Brandt extended the Quakers’ lead to four goals, Kori Edmondson took matters into her own hands. The junior gathered the draw control, sprinted down the field, weaved her way through the defense and rifled the shot into the back of the net. Maryland wasn’t done yet.
The Terps scored four unanswered goals to the game at 11. After both teams traded goals, Penn landed the last blow. With 24 seconds left, attacker Catherine Berkery fed the ball to attacker Keeley Block, who posted up her defender, turned and sidearmed the shot into the bottom corner.
Despite a four-goal comeback, Maryland was unable to get one last stop and force overtime, falling, 13-12, Monday afternoon in Philadelphia.
With Kennedy Major’s absence — one of the team’s top defenders — the Terps were forced to turn to Fallon George for her first starting nod. Penn (6-3) took quick advantage of the substitute, scoring on its first two possessions of the game.
Brandt terrorized Maryland (7-3) last season, notching four goals to help fuel the Quakers’ 13-9 upset victory over the top team in the country at the time. The senior wasted no time leaving her imprint in this game, firing the ball into the top corner of the net just 40 seconds in. Brandt finished with a team-high four goals on eight shots.
While Brandt made her presence felt early on, Penn’s offensive depth was key to its success against goalie JJ Suriano.
Quakers’ attacker Erika Chung has been one of the top facilitators in the country, and she showcased her elite vision in the opening quarter. Chung flicked the ball over her head to fellow attacker Berkery for her second of five assists in the game, moving Penn ahead, 3-2.
Behind Chung’s distribution, the Quakers exploded for eight goals in the first half with five players finding the back of the net. Sophomore attacker Regan O’Brien tallied a hat trick early in the third quarter as well.
On the other side, Maryland’s offense took some time to find its footing and struggled to generate quality looks at points throughout the game. The Terps endured several scoreless droughts that extended for long periods of the contest.
However, when they needed production, Edmondson rose to the occasion. She scored four goals, including one to start the rally and another to tie the game back up at 12.
Edmondson was not the only one who produced down the stretch. Two goals from Jordyn Lipkin and one from Maisy Clevenger helped Maryland capitalize on its momentum, surging back to bring the game level.
While the Terps’ offense grew into the game, the defense couldn’t contain Penn’s balanced attack.
After conceding just four goals in the team’s last game, Suriano had difficulties protecting the net Monday. The sophomore tallied just five saves and allowed 11 goals in her 47 minutes of play time.
Her replacement, freshman Julia Ward, fared a little bit better, but was unable to save the game-winning shot. Ward made two crucial free-position stops to keep Maryland in it. Block’s outrageous shot from close range and a low angle was too much for Ward to hold off, though.
Three things to know
- Goals in bunches. Maryland went scoreless for 10 minutes after taking a 4-3 lead into the second quarter and 12 minutes after trimming its deficit to two in the third period. However, when the Terps scored, the goals usually came in quick succession, including four goals in over four minutes to overcome the late deficit.
- Faceoff unit continues to thrive. Entering Monday’s contest, Maryland ranked 14th in the country with a 60% draw control percentage. That success continued, as the Terps won 16 of the 29 faceoffs. Maryland controlled the first five draw controls of the fourth quarter.
- Road warriors no more. The Terps won their first two games away from College Park to start the season by a combined 14 goals. However, Maryland has struggled to match those results in its past two road contests, falling to No. 3 Northwestern and Penn.