By: Henry Quach
New Brunswick, NJ — Maryland’s late equalizer allowed a shared point for both teams, as they ended the season with a 1-1 draw against Rutgers.
Maryland’s offense got off to a rapid start as they were immediately on the attack in the first and third minute.
The Terps’ first opportunity was blocked by the Rutgers defense and then in the fourth minute another Maryland shot missed the mark.
The momentum continued as another shot was once again blocked in the 13th minute.
Rutgers created its own offensive momentum in the 14th minute, but the Terps defense stayed strong and pressured the Scarlet Knights into a missed shot.
The Terps offense created another opportunity to score on a dangerous shot by freshmen midfielder Emily Lenhard in the 16th minute. Sophomore defender Kennedy Bell launched her own chance on goal in the 18th minute, but both shots were saved by Rutgers goalkeeper Olivia Bodmer.
Despite Maryland’s strong offensive momentum, the Terps defense was pressured by Rutgers’ offense. Following a huge passing play, Rutgers took a 1-0 advantage in the 23rd minute.
Shortly after the goal, it started to become a back and forth offensive affair from both teams.
The offensive onslaught provided senior goalkeeper Liz Beardsley a chance to impress. Beardsley made a crucial save for the Terps in the 29th minute, keeping the deficit at one. Beardsley stepped up again in the 37th minute, notching her second save.
The first half concluded with a back and forth battle as despite Maryland’s strong offensive statline — leading with ten shots (two on goal) to Rutgers’s five shots (three on goal) — Rutgers held a one score advantage going into halftime.
It was the same story as the back and forth play for both teams continued. Rutgers had chances to score in the 55th and 57th minutes, but strong defense by Beardsley and the Terps kept the Scarlet Knights at bay.
Maryland took advantage of the missed opportunities and marched forward.
The Terps offense continued to pressure the Rutgers defense attempting to find the equalizer as senior defender Katie Coyle shot the ball toward the net, but it was saved.
After many opportunities by the Terps offense, they finally connected on the equalizer in the 86th minute. Sophomore Lisa McIntyre scored the goal with a kick to the low center of the goal.
Rutgers would soon be on the offensive just seconds after, but Beardsley was able to notch her sixth save of the game in the 87th minute, ensuring the game would finish in a draw.
Maryland ended their regular season with a shared point, but a very strong effort by the Terps as they led in both offensive stat lines. Maryland finished with 17 shots (six on goal) to Rutgers’s 11 shots (seven on goal), including leading in corners with five.
“We’re proud of the representation that the girls show today in terms of their energy, in terms of their fight, in terms of their togetherness and you know, just in terms of overall performance in the way that they played,” said Maryland’s interim head coach Michael Marchiano.
The Terps finish the season with a 4-10-5 overall record.
