Maryland women’s soccer drops final road game of season to Nebraska, 2-0

In its final opportunity for a road victory this season, Maryland women’s soccer conceded a whopping 20 shots in the first half. This marked the Terps’ most allowed in one half this season, and led to a lopsided loss to Nebraska.

In Sunday’s match, Nebraska (7-3-5, 2-3-3 Big Ten) outshot the Terps (6-9-0, 2-6-0 Big Ten) 29-6 on Sunday, ultimately leading to a 2-0 loss.

The Cornhuskers lead the Big Ten in total shots taken, and their 29 shots marked the most the Terps have allowed in a match this season. Maryland tied its previous worst shot differential of the season just three days ago against Iowa, being outshot 27-3. 

Through Maryland’s first six road games, they have averaged 3.3 shots per game while conceding an average of 19.5 shots a game to opponents. 

Maryland came into the match with a 0-6 record on the road this season. Those six losses came from some of the Terps’ worst outings on both sides of the field, scoring zero goals while allowing 2.2 goals per game through their first six road matches. They were ultimately outscored 15-0 in away games.

Despite allowing shot after shot early, Maryland’s defense held the Cornhuskers scoreless until a costly handball called on junior forward/midfielder Lisa McIntyre set Nebraska up for a penalty kick attempt. Senior defender Lauryn Anglim netted a goal in the top center of the net as redshirt sophomore goalkeeper Faith Luckey dove to the right.   

The Terps’ lack of offense was also apparent early with one of their slowest starts this season. It looked as if the Terps’ attack would be held to zero shots taken in the first half for the first time this season, but they found their first shot in the 44th minute. Senior defender Alyssa Abramson took the first shot of the day for Maryland but missed high. 

Coming out of the half, the Terps quickly found their best opportunity of the day as redshirt junior Kelsey Smith took a shot to the bottom left, yet it was saved by senior goalkeeper Cece Villa.

Soon after, it looked like the Cornhuskers scored their second goal of the day in the 51st minute. Fortunately for the Terps, the goal was overturned due to an offside call. 

Nebraska was able to extend its lead in the 62nd minute, though. Graduate midfielder/forward Reagan Raabe recorded her team-leading fifth assist of the year as she drove to the left of the penalty box and passed to junior midfielder/forward Ella Rudney in the middle of the box. Rudney immediately fired a shot past Luckey, growing Nebraska’s lead to 2-0. 

As a result of all the shots she faced, Luckey, who ranks second in the Big Ten in saves, recorded a new season-high with 10. The redshirt sophomore’s previous best was nine, which she recorded in the Terps’ two most recent games against Illinois and Iowa.