Ohio State (2-0-1 B1G) continued its great record over Maryland (0-3-1 B1G) in a convincing 3-1 win. A brace from freshman midfielder Peyton McNamara and Norweigan freshman Kine Flotre’s goal directly from a corner continued the Buckeyes very successful record over Maryland, which now stands at 6-0-2.

Ohio State pressured early, almost scoring in the opening three minutes after junior defender Talani Barnett hit a volley off a corner just over the crossbar. 

They turned that pressure into an early lead in the 7th minute after freshman midfielder Peyton McNamara, who competed for Jamaica at the 2020 Concacaf U-20 Championship, dribbled past multiple defenders before slotting it in the bottom corner. Maryland head coach Ray Leone was upset with once again going behind early.

“We can’t start every game down a goal,” Leone said. “When you’re giving up the ball in our own half of the field in really bad spots, it makes it easy for the other team. We have to be smarter… hopefully we can learn from the tape and improve there.”

Maryland almost responded instantly after senior forward Mikayla Dayes blocked a clearance and crossed a ball in. The cross was cleared, but only as far as sophomore forward Keyera Wynn, who put her shot over from about 10 yards away from goal.

Maryland tied the game in the 26th minute. After winning the ball back in its attacking third, the Terps found Dayes who flicked it to freshman forward Zora Jackson. Jackson crossed it in to senior midfielder Sydney Staier, who volleyed home her first career goal to tie the game 1-1. Staier and Leone were both happy with the goal and assist from the young freshman.

“I’m excited to get on the board, it’s senior year so it’s been a long time coming,” Staier said.

Both Staier and Leone were complimentary of the freshman forward.

“She’s a great attacking player, and she’s always looking to do something with it so I knew that I needed to be in a good position,” Staier said.

“[Zora Jackson] is a great physical presence and unique player,” Leone added.

The Buckeyes would respond shortly after in the 31st minute, when Peyton McNama would score her second of the game from just outside the box to restore the Buckeyes’ lead.

Maryland almost tied the game again off a free kick, but junior defender Adalee Broadbent sent Staier’s cross over the bar.

Both teams had plenty of chances in the first half, but McNara’s brace gave the Buckeyes the lead over the Terps at halftime. Both teams scored on all three of their combined shots on target, with neither goalkeeper able to make a save in the first half.

Ohio State would extend its lead in the 58th minute, when Flotre scored directly from a corner to double the Buckeyes lead, making it 3-1.

Ohio State continued to pile on the pressure late in the second half, but couldn’t extend its lead. Maryland was also unable to put anything together on the attack, and the game ended 3-1, with the Buckeyes dominating the Terrapins.

“We just haven’t found the right chemistry on the field,” Leone said. “They’re giving a lot of effort, it’s just not good enough just yet. We just have to find the right chemistry to find a way to get the ball in the back of the net and take a little pressure off, because we can’t start every game down a goal.”

Maryland will continue its run of five consecutive home games with Indiana on Sunday at 11:30 a.m., still hoping for its first win of the season.