Freshman forward Mikayla Dayes flashed potential in her first two games as a Terp but Friday night she put together the best performance of her young career. Dayes scored both goals, including an overtime winner, to give Maryland their third win of the season, 2-1 over Gardner-Webb.
With the win, the Terps now match their win total from the entire 2016 season.
The Terps got the scoring started in the 61 minute of Friday night’s matchup between Maryland and Gardner-Webb when a shot off the left foot of Dayes found the back of the net. After a second straight game that began with 60 minutes of scoreless action, Maryland once again struck first as Dayes scored during a scramble following a corner kick. Her second goal of the season gave the Terps a second-half lead.
With only three minutes remaining in regulation, it seemed as if the Maryland Terrapins women’s soccer team was heading towards their third win of the season. However, Gardner-Webb’s Stina Kleppe had other ideas burying her free-kick goal in the 87 minute forcing a 1-1 tie at the end of regulation.
Then, after a scoreless first half of overtime, Dayes scored at the 1:04:47 mark to capture the “walk-off” win for Maryland. She now has three goals on the year.
Even with the late goal by Kleppe, it was another strong showing for the Maryland defense. The Terps came into the match with strong defensive numbers, and the back line continued to impress against the Runnin’ Bulldogs. Sophomore and junior goalkeepers Erin Seppi and Rachel Egyed split time behind the net as Seppi recorded one save while Egyed recorded two.
Before the late goal, the Maryland defense had gone over 200 minutes without allowing their opponent to score.
Kleppe’s goal was her first of the season and the first goal as a team for Gardner-Webb. The score came on one of the very few opportunities the Runnin’ Bulldogs had as they finished with just four shots on goal.
Although Maryland’s offense only finished with two goals to show for their effort, the Terps applied pressure all night, finishing with nine shots on goal which is a new season high. A stellar showing by Gardner-Webb’s junior goalkeeper Keely Brown, in which she recorded seven saves, kept Maryland from putting up a few more scores.
The win moves the Terps to 3-0 on the season while Gardner-Webb now sits at 0-3. Maryland will be back in action again on Sunday in South Carolina as they take on Furman. With a win, the Terps can surpass their win total from the entire 2016 season.
- Maryland volleyball swept by Indiana in second game of weekend homestand - October 7, 2023
- No. 8 Maryland field hockey falls to No. 6 Rutgers in penalty shootout, 3-2 - September 28, 2023
- Maryland women’s soccer stymied by No. 6 Penn State, 4-0 - September 15, 2023
