No. 4 Maryland downs No. 17 Boston College 2-0 in Big Ten/ACC Cup

Photo Courtesy of Mackenzie Miles/Maryland Terrapins

The last time Maryland and Boston College played each other, overtime was required to finish the game. Having already played two overtime periods in their home opener and up by a goal in the third quarter, Maryland was determined to keep the game in regulation.

Maya Everett did just that, forcing a turnover in the neutral zone and sprinting into the offensive zone. Maryland had been very passive in their past break in previous quarters, causing the Eagles’ defense to give Everett a lot of space. 

She then took full advantage of all the open space, lifting a shot into the bottom right corner to double the lead and give Maryland an insurance goal midway through the third quarter.

Backed by depth scoring and strong defensive play, No. 4 Maryland (3-0) downed No. 17 Boston College (2-1) 2-0 on Friday in Evanston, Illinois. 

The Terps had gotten off to slow starts in their first two games but wasted no time jumping on the scoreboard nearly 100 seconds into the game. After Maci Bradford drove to the front of the net, freshman Ella Gaitan found the ball on her stick and ripped a spinning shot just over the right pad of goalkeeper Charlotte Kramer for Maryland’s first goal in the first quarter all season.

Maryland’s offense continued to dominate in the second quarter as the Terps’ midfielders swarmed the Eagles’ defenders. The Terps used aerial passes and their speed advantage all quarter long to generate numerous fast break opportunities. 

That strategy was nearly successful when an aerial pass found Fleur Knopert and two other Terps behind the Eagles’ defense, but overpassing prevented Maryland from recording a shot on net. 

The Terps’ midfield also gave the Eagles’ fits on defense as Maryland forced a plethora of odd-man rushes and shots off bad Boston College passes. Despite all the opportunities, Maryland struggled to record a shot on net due to a combination of overpassing and windy weather.  

The wind appeared to be a factor in Maryland’s first penalty corner of the game. Emma DeBerdine’s entry pass was way off the mark, allowing the Eagles to set their defense and ruining a prime scoring opportunity.

Everett’s first goal of the season gave Maryland a 2-0 lead. The goal was Maryland’s sixth goal of the season and the team’s sixth different goal scorer of the season.

After Everett’s goal, the Terps tried to dominate possession of the game, which allowed the Eagles to generate scoring opportunities. 

Boston College had no better chance to get on the score sheet than two consecutive corner penalties with roughly six minutes left in the fourth quarter, but Second Team All-Big Ten goalkeeper Alyssa Klebasko made two fantastic diving saves to preserve her second consecutive shutout.

Klebasko was excellent in the second half for the Terps, making a season-high five saves. Her last two were her best as the sophomore dove to her left both times to prevent the Eagles from scoring.

Maryland’s vaunted schedule will continue on Sunday when they take on No. 5 Duke at noon.