By: Hannah Fields

In a game that looked like it was going into overtime, the Terps secured the victory against the Fighting Illini in the final minutes of the game after an impressive goal from senior Kate Waters.

Throughout the scoreless first half, both the Terps and Illini were putting pressure on the defenses and goalkeepers, but to no avail. After a wide shot from Illinois at the five-minute mark, Maryland’s Hope Lewandowski got the Terps’ first shot opportunity for her team, but the shot went wide right.

The Terps continued to put pressure on the Illinois defense, keeping possession in their offensive half and getting shot opportunities on the Fighting Illini. Maryland edged out Illinois on shot attempts nearing the end of the half, 6-2, yet the half ended with a score of 0-0.

Maryland began the second half with a cross in Illinois’ box, which was cleared and turned into an Illini counterattack and free kick. Maryland goalkeeper Rachel Egyed secured for the Terps, keeping the game scoreless.

Nearing the final moments of the second half, the Terps put up several shot attempts from Gi Krstec and Madison Turner, but the real test for the Fighting Illini came from Waters and Hope Lewandowski. Both shots would have gone in were in not for diving saves from Illinois’ goalkeeper Jaelyn Cunningham.

With just under seven minutes to go in the game, Waters launched a shot from way outside the box that hit the left post and ricocheted into the right corner of the net, giving the Terps a 1-0 lead that would remain until regulation time ran out.

With this win, the Terps gain their seventh victory of the season and their first win over a Big Ten foe. Maryland will look to continue its success at Northwestern on Sunday.