Maryland women’s soccer defender Halle Johnson held firm in her place on the Terps’ backline. Ohio State midfielder Amanda Schlueter split through the defense, rushing into the box toward Johnson and the net.
Schlueter shot as Johnson stuck out her leg to block the kick. The rebound, however, met the foot of Buckeyes midfielder Peyton McNamara, who fired the ball into the net for the first score of the game in the seventh minute.
No. 7 Ohio State found its second goal just 24 seconds later. As the Terps attempted to find their place, a turnover sent the ball to Kailyn Dudukovich, who fired right of Terps’ goalkeeper Liz Beardsley into the far post.
Maryland surrendered two quick goals to the Buckeyes and fell, 3-0, at Jesse Memorial Stadium on Friday. Ohio State put eight shots on goal compared to Maryland’s one.
The Buckeyes remained relentless on the attack following the early score, earning eight shots and four corners in the first half. While Ohio State (9-1-3, 4-0-2 Big Ten) continued its momentum, the Terps began to find their footing, clearing out attacks from inside the box.
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The Terps’ aggression cost them in the 12th minute. As midfielder Lauren Wrigley attempted to defend Schlueter, she held her jersey from behind, pulling her down and earning Wrigley a yellow card.
Sophomore Lisa Mcintyre found an opportunity for the Terps on a long ball. Buckeyes defender Ava Bramblett outpaced her and secured the ball first.
Liz Beardsley made the save of the game in the 29th minute, rescuing Maryland (3-7-4, 0-5-1 Big Ten) from an early 3-0 deficit. Schlueter broke through the defense and fired the shot low-center toward the far post.
Beardsley jumped up and dove toward the ball, sending it left of the goal and out of play. Beardsley remained a strong presence for Maryland throughout the night, making three saves.
Maryland finally found its first shot on net 40 minutes into the match from freshman Emily Lenhard, who sent a long shot from outside the box.
The Terps pressured early in the second half with a long ball to sophomore Kennedy Bell, who attempted to chip the ball through the defense.
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Ohio State found its first major chance in the 53rd minute when Schlueter attempted to rush the net. But she tripped over the foot of defender Taryn Raibon. Beardsley attempted to come out to cover the ball, but Schlueter regained possession and sent the ball back out to McNamara.
The Buckeyes attacked again, sending the ball to Dudukovich at the center of the box. Bell cleared the ball from Dudukovich, allowing the Terps to reset.
Ohio State almost found the net again in the 63rd minute when Schlueter fired toward the left post. Beardsley got mere fingers on the shot to slow down the ball as Tahirah Turnage-Morales rushed in and cleared the ball off the line.
Maryland held off the Buckeyes until the 67th minute. As Schlueter attempted to split the Terps’ defense again, she sent a pass through three defenders to Jacinda Bonham, who chipped the ball past Beardsley on the left.
With the momentum killed, the Terps struggled to build any offensive energy the rest of the match. Maryland’s six shots were an improvement for the team, doubling the total from its last matchup against Illinois.
