Maryland women’s soccer shutout 1-0 in Minnesota

Photo courtesy of Allison Mize/Maryland Terrapins

Maryland women’s soccer (4-9-4, 1-7-1, Big Ten) was shut out by Minnesota (10-3-3, 4-3-2) in a close Big Ten matchup 1-0 on Thursday night.

Both teams came into the game aggressive and committed fouls in the first few minutes of play.

In the 9th minute, Maryland’s Hannah Schapiro dispossessed the ball and gave the NCAA’s top goal scorer, Kiyah Harper, a great chance on goal. She shot it well over the bar.

Only a few minutes later, Harper was left one-on-one with the Maryland keeper. Unfortunately for her, she was just offside.

Although Maryland played a little hesitant defensively in the first 15 minutes, the Terps were able to connect with their midfielders and attackers through the middle.

Minnesota found themselves in a counterattack in the 28th minute. The Gophers ended up shooting the ball unsuccessfully from distance.

Maryland’s Lisa McIntyre nutmegged the last defender and shot directly at the keeper in a one-on-one in the 33rd minute. 

Just a few minutes later, Maryland had another great chance. The Minnesota goalkeeper mishandled the ball as she attempted to catch it. The goal was left open for a few seconds but a Minnesota defender shielded the ball as the goalkeeper recovered and picked up the ball. Maryland’s two best chances in the first half.

In the 38th minute, one of Maryland’s coaching staff was given a yellow card after an exchange of words with the referee. 

After a scoreless 44 minutes, Minnesota’s Ally Childers broke the deadlock with just seconds left in the first half. She slotted the ball into the top left corner with her left foot. The officials took a few minutes to review if the goal was offside.

Even though Minnesota took the lead very late in the first half, both teams played a fairly even half.

Maryland committed its first shot attempt early in the second half, just six minutes after the kick-off whistle.

Maryland keeper Liz Beardsley had only one save up until the 56th minute when she was forced to make a kick-save. A Minnesota player attempted a piledriver from the edge of the 18 but Beardsley reacted fast with her feet.

The Terps goalkeeper saved five shots tonight. That is now 66 saves on the season for the senior keeper, ranking 2nd in the Big Ten. 

Just a minute later, Maryland’s defense dispossessed the ball in its own third but recovered and won the ball back.

Maryland’s best chance came in the 61st minute, when Kate Hawley crossed the ball to Kennedy Bell and Bell shot it low on goal but the Minnesota goalkeeper reacted quickly with a kick-save.

In the 66th minute, Minnesota whipped in a promising corner that Harper attempted to capitalize on with a courageous bicycle kick. She hit it well over the bar.

Minnesota had another good chance shortly later. Minnesota won a free kick in the midfield. Minnesota lofted a through ball into the box and nearly connected with one of their players’ heads. 

In the 77th minute, Beardsley was forced to make a diving save after Harper cut in and tried sneaking the ball into the bottom left corner. Minnesota won a corner and almost scored directly from it, the corner kick hit the crossbar.

Although Harper had assisted the lone goal tonight, she found herself in Maryland’s 18 and was forced to slow the play on several occasions. Probably Maryland’s best takeaway from tonight’s game.

Maryland made several aggressive tackles in the final five minutes. The last chance to equalize was a free kick from midfield with a minute left. The Terps were not able to possess the ball or get a header on goal before Minnesota’s defense cleared the ball.

The Terps were unable to get any of their three shots past the Minnesota goalkeeper. Following the loss, Maryland continues its road trip on Sunday against Wisconsin.