Maryland women’s soccer gets back on track, remains undefeated at home with 2-1 win over Navy

After winning just four games total last season, Maryland women’s soccer achieved its fourth home victory of the season, which it hasn’t been able to do since 2017. However, this season they were able to accomplish the four victories in just as many games played. 

The Terps welcomed Navy to Ludwig Field for a Thursday night matchup. Behind another strong outing for its defense, Maryland (4-1) was able to get back in the win column with a 2-1 victory after coming off its first loss of the season. After the Terps started the season with three shutout wins, they were only minutes away from their fourth of the year until a penalty got in the way.

Despite the late penalty against the Terps, Maryland was still able to pull through. Maryland once again limited their opponents’ scoring opportunities as it only allowed Navy (4-2) two shots on goal compared to its own seven shots on goal.

Throughout the first half of the match, Maryland took control and repeatedly took shots on Navy’s defense. The Terps were able to get off six shots, three of which were on goal. 

While starters Kelsey Smith and Eva Mowery were each able to get looks, both getting shots on goal, the Terps found their best scoring opportunity after they began substituting. 

In the 24th minute, Maryland head coach Michael Marchiano decided to send sophomore Ellie Egeland out to the field. Egeland was able to make her impact in the 36th minute as she connected on an unassisted shot to the right side of the net.

After a quiet first year, the midfielder has been one of Maryland’s better offensive players this season.

During Egeland’s freshman season, she was only able to amass two assists with zero goals, but this year she is showing promise for a productive second season with two goals already. She was able to score her first collegiate goal versus Saint Francis.

Egeland also leads Maryland in shots (12) and shots on goal (seven).

The Terps’ defense came out strong once again and limited any threats from Navy during the first half. The Midshipmen were only able to get one shot off which ended up going out left.

In the second half, the Terps found themselves in a fortunate position to score. After Emily Lenhard took a shot on goal, Navy goalkeeper Natasha Stramrood’s save took an unlucky deflection for the Midshipmen.

As Stramrood swatted the ball, forward Gemma Davitian came charging in toward the net to fire the ball right back in the net past Stramrood in the 63rd minute. The goal marked Davitian’s second of the year, joining her with three other Terps who have notched a pair of goals this season.

While it looked like Maryland was on their way to their fourth shutout victory of the year, the Midshipmen were able to cut the lead in half at 2-1 in the 84th minute. After a foul was called on Maryland defender Tahirah Turnage-Morales, Navy’s Marlee Heaven was able to score on her penalty kick.