After dropping three consecutive contests during which its opponents scored only off corner kicks, the Maryland women’s soccer team altered its mentality. Despite falling to Indiana and Iowa in ensuing matches, the Terps adjusted to not allow a score off a corner attempt.
After Maryland’s 6-0 loss at No. 11 Minnesota on Wednesday night, forward Jarena Harmon said the Terps again need to change their approach. But that will have to wait until next season.
Against one of the best offensive teams in the Big Ten, Maryland failed to limit Minnesota’s opportunities. In the loss to the Golden Gophers, who earned a share of the Big Ten regular-season title with the win, the issues that have plagued the Terps all season were evident.
“We did compete,” coach Ray Leone said. “They flat out beat us. We were marking them one-on-one, and they just beat our mark. They were just that much better. You have to admit it. It’s where we are right now.”
Though defender Jlon Flippens has anchored Maryland’s backline, Leone has made consistent lineup changes since midfielder Natasha Ntone-Kouo suffered a season-ending knee injury four games into the campaign. Maryland’s young defense, which allowed at least four scores for the fifth time this season, was exposed.
Because the Terps offense hasn’t scored since it’s 3-1 loss to Michigan on Oct. 2, all the Golden Gophers needed was forward Julianna Gernes’ score in the fifth minute to open a lead Maryland wouldn’t overcome. Still, Minnesota continued to execute in their 13th win of the season.
In the 40th minute, goalkeeper Rachel Egyed, who has earned praise for her aggressive playing style this season, left the net to pursue the ball in the top of the box. Golden Gophers forward Sydney Squires took advantage, depositing the ball into an open net to give Minnesota a two-goal advantage entering the intermission.
“It’s the mental part, getting through it,” Harmon said. “Getting over the hump of realizing you’re down and trying to get back on your feet.”
Leone inserted goalkeeper Katelyn Jensen between the pipes in the second half, but she couldn’t slow Minnesota’s attack, either. Less than three minutes into the second, the Golden Gophers notched their third score.
It was an emphatic end for a Maryland backline that hasn’t allowed five or more goals since Sept. 11. For the offense, meanwhile, their woes continued.
Perhaps Maryland’s best chance came with 25 minutes remaining in the first, when forward Chelsea Jackson found open space in the top of the box. But her shot, one of Maryland’s four attempts on the night, missed wide. The Terps ended the season on a 551-minute scoreless stretch.
Minnesota, on the contrary, had 36 attempts, almost double its average entering the matchup.
“They brought up a lot of numbers, and their game plan overall was attacking based,” Harmon said. “Their midfielders almost all had attacking responsibilities.”
Despite the Terps entering Wednesday’s game on an eight-game losing streak, Leone said “the spirit has been good.” But that wasn’t enough to lift Maryland, which dropped its ninth straight contest to end the season.
“We can learn from this and move forward,” midfielder Hope Gouterman said. “I don’t think they’re necessarily someone who we won’t be able to compete with next year.”
