In the 21st minute of a tightly contested game, Maryland found itself with some momentum after successfully executing its game plan early on. 

Then, Penelope Hocking flicked a header into the penalty box, which Natalie Wilson proceeded to collect and calmly bury in the back of the net against the run of play for the opening goal, which would end up being the deciding goal in the game. 

Penn State defeated Maryland 2-0 in a game that was closer than the score suggests. 

Maryland outshot Penn State for the first time in school history, attempting 12 shots to the Nittany Lion’s eight. 

They also had four corners, while Penn State had two.

The Terps put the pressure on Penn State’s defense early with their press, winning the ball back in the attacking third and getting some threatening looks. However, most of their shots sailed over the goal. 

Penn State won a few free kicks in dangerous areas but failed to make the most of their set-piece chances. 

The Nittany Lions broke through in the 21st minute courtesy of a Natalie Wilson goal off of a headed through ball by Penelope Hocking that put her in on goal with only the keeper to beat. 

Mikayla Dayes was particularly lively in the first half, pressing the ball and winning it off the Penn State defense numerous times. 

In the 45th minute, it appeared as if Maryland had equalized when Kam Fisher, in the midst of a crowded box, leaped up and headed the ball into the goal off of a Sofi Vinas free kick.

However, in an extremely controversial call, the referee ruled that a foul had been committed by Maryland on the Nittany Lions keeper and the goal was disallowed. 

“Yeah, I mean, we’ll learn from this. Some calls didn’t go our way, but that’s out of our control. So once again, we’re just trying to control the things that we can, and we’re going to go back to the drawing board,” Captain Catherine DeRosa said.  

The first half ended with Penn State up 1-0 but with all to play for in the second.  

The Terps outshot Penn State with six shots to four in the first. 

However, Maryland failed to test the keeper, with all of its shots being off target. 

Maryland had the only corner kick of the half. 

In the 47th minute, Amanda Schafer was called for a foul in the box, and Penn State was awarded a penalty kick. 

Ally Schlegel took the kick and served up a weak effort on the ground just left of the center of the net. The shot was saved by goalkeeper Madeline Smith. 

In the 52nd minute, Penn State scored again to make it 2-0, after an unusual free-kick routine led to a Cori Dyke goal on a shot from outside the box. 

Soon after, Maryland got a terrific opportunity when a cross was sent on the ground to Alina Stahl, standing a few feet in front of the goal. 

She shot it on the first touch, but it was right at the keeper and saved. 

Both teams got some chances as the second half went on but neither was able to apply the finishing touch. 

The game ended in a disappointing result for the Terps. 

After the game, Coach Meg Ryan Nemzer focused on the positives. 

“I thought that the game plan as far as where we wanted to trap them, I thought they executed really well. And of course, when you play a talented team like Penn State, they’re going to find ways to get in and out of that, but I thought we really limited their opportunities compared to other teams in the Big Ten,” Nemzer said. 

“I thought the response from Michigan State to where we are today was 100 percent better,” Nemzer also added. 

Maryland suffered its fifth loss in a row after that promising win against Michigan in their Big Ten opener. 

Maryland takes on Ohio State next Thursday in a pivotal game.  

“Going into Ohio State, we have a chip on our shoulder,” DeRosa said.