No.4 Maryland takes season opener in overtime against No.7 Louisville

Photo courtesy of Ian Cox/Maryland Terrapins

With just under 1:20 left in the second overtime quarter, Maryland and Louisville seemed destined to go into a shootout in the Terps home opener. Maryland dominated the four regulation quarters but could not capitalize on opportunities in the second half.

When the two teams went to overtime it was dominated by time of possession. Each team waited for the other to make a mistake. 

When Annemijn Klijnhout found herself wide open in the middle of the shooting circle she dished a beautiful shot-pass to Hope Rose, standing by the left post, who redirected the game-winning goal past a diving Brandelynn Heinbaugh and sent the Maryland bench into a frenzy.

“Klijnhout took a quick shot and I kinda just got a touch and it’s a great feeling because they were a great team,” Rose said on the game-winning goal. 

Backed by Rose’s overtime goal, No.4 Maryland (1-0) downed No.7 Louisville in its home opener 2-1 on Friday night at The Plex.

Rose’s game-winner nearly didn’t happen as Louisville (0-1) had a great opportunity to end the game in the first overtime quarter with three consecutive penalty corner chances. Despite allowing a penalty corner goal in the second quarter and not being tested much throughout the game, Maryland stifled the Cardinals’ attack when Alina Gerke blocked all three shots.

“I was super pleased with our entire defense,” coach Missy Meharg said on the defensive stand. “Alina’s nature and the way we blocked those three shots tells you that…just total grit [and] tenacity.”

Louisville failed to record a shot in the first quarter but found its offensive touch in the second quarter. An aerial pass into the shooting circle found Chloe Plumb one-on-one with Alyssa Klebasko. The freshman was able to make the save, but sustained pressure by the Cardinals led to their first penalty corner of the season.

The Cardinals dominated in corner penalties last year, outchancing their opponents 147-71 in penalty opportunities. They made no mistake on their first chance of the year, as Sophia Parker potted a rebound chance by the right post to give Louisville a 1-0 lead. 

The flurry of chances in the second quarter was all the Louisville offense would see in regulation. Maryland’s offense and midfield pressure were suffocating, keeping the ball in Louisville’s defensive zone for nearly the entire second half.

But, the lead was short-lived as Maryland quickly responded with a penalty corner of its own. Louisville seemed to have Josie Hollamon surrounded on the entry pass, but Holloman ripped a ground ball between the legs of goalie Heinbaugh, evening the score at one.

After the goal, Heinbaugh locked in, allowing one goal in the first half. Maryland came out firing on offense, recording six shots and forcing Heinbaugh to make a plethora of difficult saves. 

Heinbaugh continued to shine in the second half. Louisville’s offense could not record a shot in the second half, putting more pressure on its goalie. But she was equal to the task, stopping every chance Maryland’s offense generated.

However, Maryland’s offense stayed composed and was able to win the game in the second overtime quarter on a deflected shot from Rose.

“We didn’t actually change anything up in [terms] of tactics,” Meharg said. “I felt in control of the game and I think the players did…[and] we ended up playing the same style the whole game.”

The Terps will stay in College Park for Sunday’s matchup against Drexel and look to build on their overtime win.