After Maryland women’s soccer goalkeeper Rachel Egyed recorded a career-high seven saves in the Terps’ 1-0 extra time loss to Pepperdine on Sept. 2, she didn’t start their next game against Appalachian State.

Through the first part of Maryland’s schedule, coach Ray Leone used a goalie rotation. Stephanie Senn, Katelyn Jensen and Egyed each split time, playing a half before Leone made a switch.

A Maryland goalie didn’t play an entire game between the pipes until Jensen played 90 minutes in the Terps’ Big Ten opener.

Egyed played the final 22 minutes Oct. 6 against Ohio State, and has started each of the Terps’ four games since. In those contests, including the Terps’ 2-0 loss to Iowa on Friday at Ludwig Field, Maryland’s defense has responded to Egyed’s aggressive approach.

“I’ve been very proud of Rachel’s play,” midfielder Darby Moore said. “She made a few amazing saves today. They got two against us, but she played really well. A lot of diving saves. The stretch that she can get onto the ball is incredible.”

In the Terps’ last four losses, Egyed has anchored an inexperienced backline while Leone gave defender Niven Hegeman, midfielders Jenna Surdick, Julia New and Hannah Hoefs opportunities to start.

Entering Friday, the Terps had gone three consecutive games without allowing a goal in the run of play. Moore said Maryland responded to Egyed’s energetic presence.

“Anytime I’m making a save, I hope it helps them say ‘Alright, we’re still in this’ even though they might be down or disappointed with themselves or let a bad ball through,” Egyed said. “That’s why I’m there. I pick up the pieces. I’m their backbone. They mess up, I’m there to pick up whatever they messed up with.”

Though Egyed has embraced her starts, she couldn’t keep a pair of Iowa shots out of the net. In the 25th minute, Hawkeyes forward Bri Toelle fielded a pass and shot the ball past Egyed and forward Madison Turner that she got passed by shot to give the Hawkeyes a one-goal advantage.

Then, in the 84th minute, Iowa midfielder Karly Stuenkel snuck the ball out of Egyed’s reach to increase the Hawkeyes’ advantage. Still, Leone is impressed with Egyed’s progress.

“She’s just tough and courageous,” Leone said. “She’s got a good chemistry with the backline. She’s not even the same player from the beginning of the year. It’s really something. But that’s how the position is. When you play, you get better.”

As the Terps prepare for their season finale at Minnesota on Wednesday, Egyed isn’t guaranteed to be Maryland’s starting goalie. But for a team that features 14 new players and played name games on the first day of fall practice, Egyed has provided a spark.

“We’re competing and fighting hard and working to do our best,” Egyed said. “It’s nice to finally be competing well with everybody. This team doesn’t have a problem adjusting.”