Maryland women’s soccer coach Ray Leone made his expectations clear.

After the Terps entered the intermission trailing by three goals in their past two contests — they allowed five goals overall — Leone challenged his team. He wanted to see Maryland end the first half tied with or within one goal of its opponent.

Based on Leone’s standards, the Terps were effective Friday night, entering halftime trailing No. 22 Rutgers by a goal. But Maryland was unable to net the equalizer, which resulted in a one-goal loss to start its Big Ten slate.

Against Navy and George Mason, Leone’s team was shutout in the first half but capitalized on its offensive opportunities in the second. Facing Rutgers, a final four team a year ago, the Terps’ attack struggled.

Maryland’s best offensive opportunity came with about 26 minutes remaining in the first period. Midfielder Cassie Phillips’ free kick –the Terps’ lone shot in the first — sailed high.

For just the second time this season, Maryland was held off the board. Rutgers’ backline prevented the Terps from getting close to the box for most of the night and allowed only four shots, three of which came after the intermission.

And Maryland’s defense, which allowed five goals Sunday for the first time since 2013, had difficulty containing the Scarlet Knights’ attack despite allowing one goal.

In the ninth minute, Rutgers midfielder Nicole Whitley took a free kick from the far side of the field. From about 25 yards out, Whitley appeared to be targeting a Scarlet Knight’s forward in the box.

However, goalie Katelyn Jensen positioned herself toward the left side of the post and, and Maryland’s defenders couldn’t get to the shot, which pierced the lower-right side of the net to give Rutgers a 1-0 lead.

While the Scarlet Knights recorded just one score, they maintained possession for the majority of the contest. Rutgers tallied 21 shots, 12 of which came after halftime.

With less than 16 minutes remaining in regulation, the lights went out at Yurcak Field. Even after the short delay, which allowed both teams time to discuss their approach for the final minutes, the Scarlet Knights slowed Maryland’s attack, handing the Terps their first conference loss of the season.