No. 6 Maryland avoids detrimental upset in late comeback vs. Michigan State

Photo courtesy of Ashley Ray/Maryland Terrapins

With the third quarter dwindling, Maryland was not only in jeopardy of losing its perfect record against Michigan State but also on the verge of a disastrous upset. 

Hope Rose tried to create some offense on her own, and after centering a pass to the middle of the field, she emphatically lobbied the baseline referee for a penalty corner. The play went to video review, and Rose’s request was granted. While Maryland struggled to produce on its penalty corners all game, Ella Gaitan found a rebound next to the feet of goalkeeper Lyra Gavino and potted her third goal in two games, starting a sudden flurry of Maryland offense.

Backed by another two-goal performance from Gaitan No. 6 Maryland (8-3, 4-1 Big Ten), narrowly edged out Michigan State (6-6, 0-3 Big Ten) in East Lansing, 3-1 on Friday.

Roughly 80 seconds after Gaitan tied the game, the Big Ten Freshman of the Week collected her second goal on a redirection through a mass of bodies on a long-range shot by Emma DeBerdine. The goal tied a team-high with five.

The pair of third-quarter goals has been a staple for the Maryland offense all season, as the Terps have scored more goals in the third quarter than any other quarter this season. With two third-quarter goals against Michigan State, the third-quarter scoring now accounts for over 44% of the team’s total goal-scoring.

Just minutes into the fourth quarter, Maryland’s offense struck again. A redirected pass off the stick of Maci Bradford found Fleur Knopert wide-open next to the Spartan’s net. But the redirected pass came chest-high at Knopert, who used a baseball-like swing to make perfect contact with the ball, sending it into the bottom left corner of the goal.

In Maryland’s prior two road games, the Terps got off to quick starts. They attempted to do the same against Michigan State, drawing five penalty corners in the opening quarter. The Terps used various tactics to penetrate the Spartan’s defense, shooting off the set and trying to use a series of fakes and passes to open shooting lanes. 

The Spartans’ defense had not been a strength entering Friday’s contest, allowing the second most goals in the Big Ten. But, the Spartans’ defensive unit was unphased by anything the Terps offense presented, blocking three penalty corner shots and allowing just one to reach Gavino.

Once Michigan State got its first opportunity, it did not miss. The Terps dominated prior opponents with speed through its midfield, but this time, midfield speed was used against them to get on the board. 

With numbers in transition, midfielder Maddie Lawlor sprinted into the attacking zone. The senior stopped by the left corner of the baseline and striking line, rifling a pass to freshman Lilian Knorr streaking through the center of the field. Knorr redirected the pass into the net, sending Lawlor into a jumping hysteria with a little under two minutes in the opening quarter.

Outside of the Spartan’s first-quarter goal, Maryland’s defense was once again smothering. The Spartans came in with a high-volume offense, as only one Big Ten team recorded more shots on goal than Michigan State. But in the first half, Maryland hemmed Michigan State in its attacking third, limiting the Spartans to just one shot.

Maryland’s defense was equally daunting in the second half, surrendering just two more shots — none of which made it on net.

The Terps will return to College Park as they prepare to face American on Monday night.