Maryland Women’s Soccer Dominates VCU 4-0

Photo courtesy of Allison Mize/Maryland Terrapins

COLLEGE PARK, MD – In a stellar performance, Maryland women’s soccer (2-2-3) cruised to a 4-0 victory over Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) (0-6-0) Sunday morning. 

Maryland women’s soccer seized control in the first half against VCU with an aggressive offensive showing that led to three goals, holding a commanding 3-0 lead heading into halftime. 

Maryland opened the scoring in the 5th minute when Kennedy Bell found the back of the net, firing the ball into the bottom right corner of the goal for the 1-0 advantage. Freshman defender Taryn Raibon set up the play, assisting Bell’s precise finish. 

But Bell wasn’t done there. In the 7th minute, after a VCU turnover, she received a perfect through ball from sophomore Peyton Bernard and fired a powerful shot into the top of the net, doubling the lead to 2-0. The quick double put VCU on the back foot, as Maryland’ offense appeared relentless. 

VCU struggled to create offensive opportunities in the first half but managed a shot on goal in the 11th minute. However, senior goalkeeper Liz Beardsley made a critical save to maintain the Terrapins’ two-goal lead. 

Maryland maintained its defensive discipline throughout the match, led by goalkeeper Liz Beardsley. The senior recorded seven saves, denying all of VCU’s chances at cutting into the lead. 

Maryland’s midfield, led by standout performances from Ava Morales and Kelsey Smith, controlled possession throughout the half. The Terps’ ability to transition quickly from defense to offense overwhelmed the VCU defense, who found themselves defending wave after wave of Maryland attacks.

The Terps’ offensive pressure forced a host of bad turnovers from VCU’s backline throughout the game to generate many offensive opportunities. 

One of those opportunities came in the 25th minute, when once again the Maryland forwards dispossessed the VCU defense. 

This time Peyton Bernard was the benefactor of the bad mistake, adding a third goal in the 25th minute and the first of her career. Bernard rolled the shot into the bottom left of the goal after a cross from freshman Ellie Egeland, who combined for the assist with fellow freshman Emily Lenhard. 

In the second half, VCU came out aggressive, applying pressure on Maryland’s defense. 

In the 48th minute, VCU’s Y-Van Nguyen fired a shot toward the low left corner, but Beardsley made a diving save to keep VCU off the scoreboard. Beardsley, who continued vital to the game, later saved another attempt from VCU’s Kanna Matsuhisa in the 58th minute. 

Despite VCU’s increased pressure, Maryland held firm defensively and continued to hold possession. 

Meanwhile, several fouls on VCU throughout the second half resulted in multiple free kicks for Maryland, further allowing them to control the field. Kennedy Bell, continuing her relentless pursuit, nearly scored another goal in the 55th minute with a shot that narrowly missed high and wide. 

In the 70th minute, Maryland put the cherry on top. Junior Delaney DeMartino, who had come on as a substitute, scored her first goal of the season with a composed finish into the bottom left corner. Bell played provider this time, delivering a precise assist to DeMartino, who calmly finished the play to give Maryland a commanding 4-0 advantage. 

For Maryland, this victory was a testament to their depth and team cohesion. Kennedy Bell’s two-goal performance spearheaded the attack, while DeMartino and Bernard provided valuable support. 

The Terps outshot VCU 10 to five and earned two corner kicks to the Rams’ 11, but it was Maryland’s critical finishing that provided the difference. 

The win gives Maryland momentum as they prepare for their upcoming match against Michigan State.