During practice, the Maryland women’s soccer team doesn’t just focus on improving its verbal communication. The Terps also discuss how to give physical signs to their teammates, such as the forwards knowing whether midfielders want to take a long shot just by reading their facial expression.
This development has helped the Terps’ communication system become multidimensional, forward Jarena Harmon said.
The Terps were able to connect on a corner kick to take a lead late in a first half, but Michigan State midfielder Hannah Jones scored in the 108th minute to secure the Spartans’ 3-2 win in double overtime Thursday.
Jones scored each of Michigan State’s goals.
With about three minutes remaining in the second overtime period, Jones’ shot from just outside the box landed out of the reach of Maryland goalkeeper Stephanie Senn for the game-winning score.
Jones scored her first goal in the 62nd minute to tie the game at one. She put her shot past Senn, who replaced Katelyn Jensen after she suffered an injury at the end of the first half.
Jones, who entered the match with one goal this season, scored again in the 73rd minute. Standing at the top of the box, Jones’s line-drive kick landed in the right corner of the net to give the Spartans a late advantage.
Though Michigan State (5-5-1, 2-2 Big Ten) dominated possession early — the Spartans entered the intermission outshooting Maryland, 9-3 — the Terps (3-8-1, 1-3 Big Ten) held a one-goal lead at halftime.
Before defender Jlon Flippens took a corner kick in the 42nd minute, she motioned the offensive players standing in front of the net to move closer to the goal. Seconds later, forward Chelsea Jacksonn headed the ball home for the only score of the half.
Michigan State defenders stood confused, believing the ball hadn’t crossed the line. Kady Badham and Jarena Harmon put their arms around Jackson, who after a brief discussion was credited with a score.
Maryland’s offense was more aggressive in the second half, and once the Spartans took the lead, the Terps maintained possession.
This style helped result in a penalty kick with 25 seconds to go in regulation, and though Harmon’s shot was saved, Jackson put the rebound on goal. Spartans goalkeeper Savanna Wojtanowski couldn’t handle the ball between the pipes, which resulted in an own goal to send the game into extra time.
Neither Maryland nor Michigan State were able to capitalize on their overtime opportunities until Jones’ shot ended the game in the 108th minute.
