Terps down William & Mary for first win of the year

By: Joe Catapano

The Maryland Women’s Soccer team (0-1-1) won their first game of the season, 3-2, Thursday night against William & Mary (1-0-0) at Martin Family Stadium in Williamsburg, Virginia.

Maryland, who only won one game on the road last season, have already matched last year’s mark.

Maryland’s defense sloppily turned the ball over in the second minute, resulting in the Tribe’s first goal by Sarah Segan. Maryland would not be down for long, however, as sophomore Jarena Harmon stole the ball from the Tribe’s goalkeeper just four minutes later, putting the ball in back of the net to equalize the score. Harmon, who transferred from Pittsburgh in the offseason, led her team with seven goals last year.

Harmon’s first goal as a Terrapin would not be her only contribution of the night. She was in the middle of a hectic play that resulted in the go-ahead goal in the 14^th minute. The play was ruled as an own goal after initially being credited to Harmon. The Tribe tied the game at two on a goal by Kady Kriner before halftime.

William & Mary, who finished at an impressive 14-5-3 last year, only lost one game on their home field in 2015. Heading into the half, it seemed like the Tribe would make the proper adjustments to win the game.

But it was Harmon who delivered the eventual game-winning goal in the 63^rd minute on a cross by Marisa Knott, playing the ball into the box, where Harmon and William & Mary goalkeeper, Grace Smith, collided. No foul was called as the ball trickled off of Harmon’s foot and into the net. Although the Tribe outshot the Terrapins 13-6, Maryland took advantage of key miscues by the Tribe.

Maryland must be pleased with Harmon’s multi-goal game. Only Alex Anthony scored more than one goal last season for the Terrapins. Maryland now has two players with multiple goals after Chelsea Jackson’s two goals last weekend in overtime losses to TCU and Gardner-Webb.

Maryland, improving to 1-1-1 on the season, has an opportunity to win their second straight on the road against Penn this Sunday at 5 p.m. in Philadelphia.