Coming off their most recent loss to Penn State in last year’s Big Ten tournament, the No. 2 Maryland Terrapins looked to continue their unbeaten streak against conference opponents as they faced the No. 5 Nittany Lions.
However, Maryland was outplayed on both sides of the ball as the Terps fell to the Nittany Lions, 5-1, for their first loss in Big Ten play..
Maryland started the game off strong as they drove into Penn State territory. Following a turnover that resulted in a fast break opportunity, the Terps quickly found themselves on the defensive. They held off the Nittany Lions thanks to back-to-back saves by Sophomore Goalkeeper Paige Kieft.
Starting off slowly, the Nittany Lions found their groove late in the first quarter, with their first goal coming off a corner from Junior Forward Sophia Gladieux, who bounced the ball over Kieft. She tied the game at 1-1.
The second quarter was all Penn State, as Maryland’s aggressive defense played to no avail. Errant passes by the Terps crippled several promising offensive possessions early on.
After not converting an early Maryland turnover, the Nittany Lions would go on to score three unanswered. Senior Midfielder Mackenzie Allessie put Penn State up 2-1 after she scored between the legs of a seemingly unsuspecting Kieft.
The final two Penn State goals were scored by Graduate Midfielder Anna Simon off the deflection of Junior Defender Rayne Wright. The Nittany Lions capped off their run with Gladieux’s second score of the game.
With three minutes left in the first half, head coach Missy Meharg elected to replace Kieft in goal with Senior Christina Calandra.
“It just seemed like a good time to do it… I felt for Paige. She needed a break, and with both goalies being ready to play, it seemed like a logical time to make a change,” Meharg said.
Maryland entered the half down 4-1.
The Terps continued to struggle on offense in the third quarter, as wayward passes continued to negate chances. The Terps’ defense attempted to keep them in the game as Calandra spoiled a late opportunity by the Nittany Lions.
Penn State continued their great defensive prowess, continually keeping the ball out of the hands of the recently potent Maryland offense. The two entered the final quarter with the score remaining 4-1.
Maryland began the fourth quarter with an unsuccessful corner attempt that was followed up in a similar fashion with a save by Senior Goalkeeper Brie Barraco. She would go on to record back-to-back blocks.
Penn State added an insurance goal with just over three minutes left in the game when Senior Forward Jemma Punch knocked one in to make the final score 5-1.
Penn State handed Maryland their first loss this season to a conference opponent. “I don’t think it changes anything,” Calandra said. “Right now, it’s a matter of playing Virginia at home and Connecticut at home, then seeing where we land.”
Following their win last week against Georgetown, assistant coach Scott Tupper said, “A lot of shots and a lot of goals is a good indication that we’re finishing both from open play and in corners which is really positive for us.”
That was not the case today, as Maryland was only one for seven on shots and was outshot for the first time all season.
