Against a Penn side that entered Thursday’s contest undefeated with double-digit goals in each of its first seven games, the Maryland women’s lacrosse team put together a stringent defensive effort.

Goalkeeper Megan Taylor made five saves and didn’t allow a goal through the first 14 minutes. The No. 7 Quakers finished with a season-low seven conversions in No. 4 Maryland’s 13-7 victory.

“Penn’s offense has been really productive this season, but our defense was forcing some shots and Meg was seeing the ball really well and she was able to come up with a lot of great saves,” coach Cathy Reese said. “Some were really spectacular and some were because we played really great defense.”

On the offensive end, midfielder Jen Giles scored the Terps’ first goal of the day two minutes into the game, followed by four more unanswered strikes for Maryland (7-1).

The five-goal start was one of several Maryland scoring spurts in the matchup. Penn’s only significant run came when it put up three unanswered in the latter stages of the first half to momentarily cut its deficit to two.

The Terps answered with two goals in less than a minute to end the first half and continued that momentum into the start of the second. Maryland came out of the break with a four-goal run led by attacker Megan Whittle, who finished with a team-high four goals as well as an assist.

“She’s a player that’s really hard to defend,” Reese said. “When she dodges hard to goal she’s hard to stop. When teams send people send people early she’s able to move the ball and find the opening, but if she beats you with one step she’s going to get a good look to goal.”

Behind each Terps run was strong defense and goalkeeping. Taylor continued her early success with a 13-save showing. Her 65 percent save rate included two free position blocks from Penn (7-1).

“It’s just so nice to have such a sturdy goalie back there that even if we slip up … has our back,” defender Lizzie Colson said. “I trust Megan with so much. … She’s doing amazing, she’s had a great couple games and I just hope she can keep it rolling.”