The Maryland women’s soccer team’s ability to get Friday’s game against No. 25 Pepperdine into overtime didn’t impress coach Ray Leone.
“I didn’t know what to expect, because we had been dominated in every game we played until today,” Leone said. “This was a really great performance and a good step forward.”
Forward Jarena Harmon believed the Terps had Pepperdine defeated.
The Terps were outshot, 9-6, in the first half but entered intermission tied. While Pepperdine maintained possession throughout most of the first period, Maryland’s backline allowed few opportunities in the box.
Maryland, entering its third overtime contest in five games this season, exuded confidence after topping Penn and William & Mary on its most recent road trip. A team featuring 14 new players didn’t feel pressured to score.
But forward Jlon Flippens received a yellow card in the 99th minute, and Wave forward Rylee Baisden converted a free kick to hand the Terps their second overtime loss of the season.
“We’re finally communicating with each other and completing passes,” Harmon said. “I think we had them. We contested the ball consistently and had opportunities.”
In the 88th minute, Rachel Egyed, who started between the pipes in the second half, saved a line drive kick from a Pepperdine forward who was unguarded on the right side of the box. Egyed, who recorded a career-high seven saves in the loss, also made a pair of saves in overtime to keep the game scoreless.
“She took it another level up today,” Leone said. “It was a great performance. No keeper [likes to be substituted for every half.] It’s a young team.”
As a result of Egyed’s success and Flippens’ aggressive approach, Maryland remained competitive against a Pepperdine team that scored nine goals in its first four games.
With seven minutes remaining in regulation, Harmon tried to find Jackson in the box, but Jackson’s shot was short. About a minute later, Harmon had only one Pepperdine defender to beat. She couldn’t convert.
During the 57th minute, midfielder Darby Moore dribbled alone down the middle of the field, but her pass to forward Chelsea Jackson was fielded in front of the goal.
Despite its opportunities, Maryland’s offense was unable to capitalize late. Egyed said in order to compete with top-25 teams in the future, the Terps need to continue learning from their mistakes.
“This just shows how much potential we have,” Egyed said. “We can’t dwell on anything. Now, we can connect. We know each other’s wants and needs.”
Harmon also led Maryland’s attack in the first half. During the 23rd minute, she spun away from a defender right outside of the box and drove toward the goal. However, she was unable to get a shot off.
In the 40th minute, Harmon split a pair of defenders in the box and got a shot off but it sailed high, keeping the game scoreless entering the intermission.
But in overtime, Maryland, which scored three goals in each of its last two games, was unable to get on the board.
“We’re learning about each and every player we want to play with,” Harmon said. “We’re practicing and playing well. I think we’re moving forward. It was a heartbreak for us.”
