Ella Gaitan’s two goals send No. 5 Maryland past No. 10 Iowa in 5-0 rout

Photo courtesy of Ashley Ray/Maryland Terrapins

Already up by two goals, Maryland sought to put the game away with another penalty corner. The Terps typically attempt a quick shot after the set on penalty corners, but they elected to be more patient this time. A series of passes found Gaitan wide open in the center of the shooting circle, where she quickly elevated a shot into the upper left corner of the net.

Backed by a second-half surge and two goals from Ella Gaitan, No. 5 Maryland (7-3, 3-1 Big Ten) cruised past No. 10 Iowa (6-4, 1-3 Big Ten) on Sunday 5-0 in Iowa City, Iowa.

“[I] couldn’t be more happy to come to Indiana and Iowa and score eight goals and none against us,” head coach Missy Meharg said. “It was a really strong performance going into the second week of October [and] we’re in a really comfortable space.” 

The Terps had struggled in prior games at converting penalty corners, but against Iowa, Maryland was efficient, converting two of its six attempts.

Hope Rose dominated on Friday against Indiana and continued her offensive prowess the following match. Just minutes into the second quarter, Emma DeBerdine centered the ball into the shooting circle on Maryland’s second penalty corner. The ball was set for the Rose, who faked the shot, cut left and rifled a shot across her body, where Ella Gaitan redirected the game’s first goal into the right corner of the net.

Gaitan struck again on a penalty corner coming out of the half as her second goal of a penalty corner gave Maryland a commanding 3-0 lead.

For the second consecutive weekend, Maryland’s offense got off to a fast start, drawing a penalty corner within the first 90 seconds of the opening quarter. Maryland got the look it wanted on the penalty corner, but a kick save by goalkeeper Mia Magnotta kept the game scoreless. 

Meharg has emphasized the speed of Maryland’s midfield all season, and just minutes after Maryland’s penalty corner chance, its midfield speed produced another. Annemijn Klijnhout generated a turnover at midfield, catching Iowa in transition and allowing Maryland to attack upfield with numbers. Klijnhout sprinted into the attacking zone before dishing a pass to Hope Rose on her left, but Rose ripped her just wide of the left post.

The Hawkeyes entered Sunday’s contest as one of the best defensive teams in the Big Ten, surrendering just eight goals in nine games. However, Iowa’s defense has depended on scoring first, having never surrendered a goal when drawing first blood this season. The Hawkeyes are winless in all three games where opponents scored first. That streak continued on Sunday.

Gaitan’s first goal gave Maryland the lead heading into the second half, and early into the third quarter, Maryland doubled its lead. Amidst a cluster of bodies, Annemijn Klijnhout chipped the ball over Magnotta. Klijnhout’s goal was the first of her collegiate career, making her the 12th different goal scorer this season — two more than Maryland had last season.

After Gaitan put the Terps ahead by three goals, Maryland’s offense continued to press as Maci Bradford and Rose added two goals in the fourth quarter, turning a top-10 matchup into a 5-0 rout.

The Terps will stay on the road next week, traveling to East Lansing to take on Michigan State.