Terps Endure Tough Test from La Salle in 1-0 Victory

By Christopher Cox

The Maryland Terrapins escaped Ludwig Field with another win Sunday night and improved to 3-1-0 on the season thanks to a fortunate goal from Shannon Collins and a strong performance by the Terps’ backline, edging the La Salle Explorers 1-0.

In the seventh minute of play, Collins sent a line-drive corner kick toward the near post of the goal. La Salle goalkeeper Katie Getzinger got in front of the ball attempting to catch it, but was unable to as it hit off her body and squirted into the goal, giving the senior defender her first goal on the season.

Shannon Collins leads Terps to victory over La Salle. (Courtesy of UMTerps.com)

“I guess the soccer gods are on our side right now,” Collins said on her game-winning goal.

From there on out, it was a tough battle for the Terps to keep La Salle from tying the game. Maryland outshot the Explorers in the first half 12-4, but it was much more even in the second half when La Salle became desperate for the equalizing goal.

Senior goalkeeper Rachelle Beanlands stepped up with a crucial save in the second half when she smacked away a ball headed for the top of the goal that came from just in front of the net. Beanlands also had no trouble erasing any threats La Salle made on free kicks, often coming off her line confidently to snag balls sent in to the penalty box.

“She made two saves today that were just stellar,” head coach Jonathan Morgan said of his goalie who has only allowed one goal through the first four games of the season. “If she can sort out her game management a little bit, she’s going to put herself in a place to play at the next level – that’s professionally and potentially with her national team … I think she’s feeling it.”

Senior Sarah Fichtner filled Amanda Gerlitz’s spot at right back and didn’t have any trouble playing out of her usual position. Freshman Cassie Phillips got her first collegiate start due to Fichtner moving to the backline.

As the Terps travel to Texas to for their first two away games, coach Morgan said getting three wins at home helps immensely with their confidence. “We scheduled a pretty demanding out-of-conference schedule, so to get some wins against some teams that are going to get us some RPI points, that’s great.”

After winning five games last season, Maryland will be looking to match that total this weekend when they meet the TCU Horned Frogs Friday at 8 p.m. in Fort Worth and the SMU Mustangs Sunday at 2 p.m. in Dallas.