In the 15th minute, the ball found Alina Stahl in front of the net.

Stahl, under pressure, buried the ball in the back of the net. 

Stahl set the tone for the game that Maryland comfortably dominated, propelling them to its first win of the season, shutting out George Mason, 3-0.

Overall, the Terps had 17 shots compared to just three for George Mason. They also won nine corners, with the Patriots having none. 

The victory marked Coach Meg Ryan Nemzer’s first win as a head coach, kicking off a new era in College Park.

“You know what, it hasn’t really sunk in yet, I think. But this is where I want to be. This is my dream job, so I feel like to get the monkey off the back was important. It was a great day for Maryland Women’s Soccer,” Nemzer said after the game. 

Maryland dominated possession early on and scored first in the 15th minute off some smooth passing on a transition that led to a Stahl goal, her third of the season. 

As the first half carried on, the Terps continued to control possession but weren’t able to create many chances.

Maryland started to look more threatening as the half went on, and they capitalized off of a corner to score in the 37th minute by way of a thundering Sofi Vinas header.

Maryland was more aggressive in the first half, accumulating six shots and four corners. 

The offense finally looked like it was starting to click as n Nemzer’s influence on the team could clearly be seen in their play. 

In Nemzer’s previous job as the top assistant for Rutgers, she’s remembered as a defensive guru. Maryland’s defense was stout as George Mason only notched one shot in the first half.

Catherine DeRosa also recorded the first two assists of her career on the two Terp goals. 

DeRosa, nicknamed Bootsie for a childhood memory with a pair of boots, has been a leading figure for this Maryland team.

“Yeah, I mean, I think our forwards had excellent movement, so all I had to do is find runs, and obviously, they did all the work by finishing it,” Bootsie said.

“I knew she was going to compete. She loves this team. She loves this university. She loves this program,” Nemzer said.

The second half started out intense, with a scuffle as Maryland’s Juliana Lynch and the Patriots’ Nina Wilson shoved each other. 

Maryland continued to assert their superiority in the second with several chances, including a beautiful turn by Alyssa Poarch in the 68th minute, which became a close Maryland chance.

George Mason keeper Selamawit Caldart had to make several tough saves, including a particularly impressive save in an 81st-minute shot by Mia Isaac.

In the 89th minute, Maryland put the game away for good with an easy-as-you-like finish by Alyssa Poarch to the top left corner to make it 3-0, which is how it ended. 

This game marked the first shutout for Maryland so far this year. 

“It’s about time, right? No, I mean, we always say defense wins championships, and I’m excited for them,” Nemzer said.  

Maryland returns to action on Thursday when they face off against undefeated Wake Forest at 7 pm at Ludwig Field.