Maryland women’s soccer’s lackluster showing leads to 5-0 defeat to Iowa

Elle Otto — Iowa’s leader in goals— was sent a lofted pass in the fourth minute over the top of the Maryland center backs, allowing her to get past the Terps’ defense. Otto rounded goalkeeper Liz Beardsley and slotted a shot home to give Iowa an early advantage.

“That speedy forward up top (Otto), she likes to split the center backs,” coach Meghan Ryan Nemzer said. “I thought our center backs were a little bit too wide and we lost track of her.” 

The Hawkeyes cruised from that point on.

Maryland women’s soccer (3-8-5, 0-7-1 Big Ten) struggled on both sides of the ball as it lost its sixth consecutive match. The result was a 5-0 defeat to Iowa (9-3-3, 3-3-2 Big Ten).

“Once we found our rhythm it was too late,” Nemzer said. “Things didn’t go our way. We didn’t compete today and got a red card, so dug a hole for us from the start.”

The Hawkeyes controlled possession and had the limeshare of attacking chances, attempting 16 shots, 10 on goal. 

Beardsley was once again called on to make big saves — as she’s needed to do all season-long — to help keep Maryland in the match early, including a strong save to deny an Otto shot in the 16th minute. 

The Terps struggled to find relief from the Iowa pressure and get the ball out of their defensive end. It didn’t take long after the first goal for the Hawkeyes to find another chance. They added to their lead off a free kick in the 20th minute, setting up a Kelli McGroarty header that beat Beardsley to extend Iowa’s lead to 2-0. 

The Hawkeyes used crosses and passes in the air to its advantage, challenging Maryland’s center backs with lofted balls throughout the match. Iowa was awarded eight corners and numerous free kicks, which the Hawkeyes took full advantage of to threaten the Terps’ defense. 

Maryland has struggled to defend set pieces, especially as of late. That continued on Sunday. Iowa scored another set piece goal in the 36th minute off a corner that Addie Bundy redirected to add to the Hawkeyes’ commanding 3-0 lead. 

The Terps tried to adjust in the second half by playing a more physical defensive style. This change worked for a bit before the referee started to blow his whistle more liberally, awarding several free kicks on their defensive end. 

Katie Coyle received a red card and was sent off in the 67th minute — with her side down 4-0 after a Josie Durr penalty kick goal in the 55th minute — after being awarded her second yellow card for a challenge on an Iowa player who was driving towards the goal.

“I don’t think that second yellow was really a second yellow for Coyle, there was people behind her,” Nemzer said. “But we put ourselves in those situations so we gotta be better about that.” 

Maryland was forced deeper following the send off. It tried to keep players behind the ball and focus on preventing another goal, but once again the Hawkeyes’ quality shined through. Sofia Bush put an exclamation mark on the contest with a spectacular strike from outside the box to extend her side’s lead to the final score of 5-0. 

Iowa’s defense entered having allowed just nine goals all season, tied for second-fewest in the Big Ten. Six of those nine goals came in its last two games, coinciding with a slight downturn in form after a terrific start to the year. 

The Hawkeyes bounced back against the Terps as they were stout and tough to break down. Maryland’s offense failed to get into a groove, attempting no shots in the first half. The Terps had difficulty building out of the back and often had to play long balls to get out, which Iowa was able to bring down before Maryland’s strikers could get a touch. 

The Terps came out of halftime with a more attacking focus. Ava Morales attempted their first shot of the afternoon in the 48th minute with a strike off a well-worked free kick routine, but the attempt banged off the crossbar.

Maryland’s offense then began to lose steam following Morales’ shot. The Hawkeyes’ fourth goal — and later the red card — especially took the air out of the Terps’ attackers as the final result settled in. 

Maryland finished with only two shots, one on goal, in another disappointing offensive performance.