Maryland women’s soccer searches for first win of season against George Mason

Coming off of four straight 1-1 draws, Maryland women’s soccer (0-0-4) aims to get into the win column against George Mason (1-2-2) on Sunday. 

The Terps’ freshest draw came against No. 17 Georgetown on Thursday. As the Terps did in their first three games, they got off to a sluggish start and allowed the Hoyas to strike first. However, Maryland tied the game in the final minutes to maintain its undefeated status.

Maryland’s most recent match leaned heavily in Georgetown’s favor as the Terps allowed the Hoyas with countless opportunities. Terps’ goalkeeper Madeline Smith turned in a career performance with a career-high nine saves, amassing seven in the first half alone. 

“It’s inspiring,” Maryland forward Alina Stahl said in regards to having Smith as the foundation of Maryland’s defense. “Seeing her come up with a big save… she did what she had to do, so now I have to do what I have to do.”

The Terps played much of the game on their heels, unable to get the offense clicking as the Hoyas defense picked their passing game apart.

Henley Tippins dealt the lone shot that got by Smith 12 minutes into the second half, her fifth score in as many games to start the season.

Stahl responded with a goal assisted by Mikayla Dayes in the 84th minute, and the Terps held on for the final minutes to draw even at one score apiece for the fourth game in a row to start the season.

The Terps opened a six-game homestand in College Park against Georgetown after playing their first three games on the road, and will look to defeat George Mason tomorrow after settling in at home.

The Patriots enter following a 2-1 loss to Towson on Thursday. Prior to that, George Mason tied against Appalachian State 0-0. George Mason’s last win came against Howard in late August.

George Mason was outshot by Towson 21:7, and only two of the Patriots’ shots were on goal.

The Patriots were a victim of Towson’s quick-attack offense, as the Tigers scored their first goal in the fourth minute of the match courtesy of Nia Christopher, and Phoebe Canoles struck again eleven minutes later. 

George Mason responded to the quick 2-0 deficit when Kolbrun Eyjolfsdottir came back the other way on a header, assisted from Milan Pierre-Jerome. Eyjolfsdottir’s goal cut the lead in half.

The second half was more of a defensive contest as neither team managed to string an effective run together. The Patriots were forced to settle for a 2-1 defeat and their second of the season. 

Stahl has scored or assisted on every goal Maryland has scored this season, and the Terps would be sitting on three draws and a loss without her late-game heroics on Thursday.

“The last three games we were focused on the win versus focusing on what we need to do to win,” said rookie Maryland head coach Meghan Ryan Nemzer. Nemzer is still on the hunt for her first victory at the helm of the Terps.

The match on Sunday will start at 1 p.m. and will take place at Ludwig Field in College Park.