Maryland women’s soccer readied to defend a corner in the 17th minute, each defender marking a Wisconsin attacker. But one Badger remained untouched. Erin Connolly stood against the goal line, tracking Terps goalkeeper Liz Beardsley’s movements.
The cross came in and Connolly adjusted. With one quick touch, the midfielder tapped the ball into the net with her back heel.
Connolly’s goal doubled Wisconsin’s advantage and Maryland never got closer than its one-goal deficit. The Badgers eased past the Terps in Madison on Sunday, 5-0.
Maryland’s (4-10-4, 1-8-1 Big Ten) offensive struggles in Big Ten play remained. It endured a conference shutout for the ninth time this season in another loss to a competitive Big Ten opponent. The Terps’ defense had issues as well — they entered the day having allowed the second-most conference goals this year.
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The Terps had little pressure in their attacking third early on Sunday. The Badgers (8-4-4, 4-3-3 Big Ten) controlled the possession, using the backline to switch the field and move the ball up the sidelines. The lack of offensive pressure kept Maryland in the middle-third with few chances in the attack.
Maryland dropped back and crowded around the net to defend in the seventh minute. Beardsley made an initial impact, sliding to the left post to block a low shot with her body, but the Badgers kept the ball in play. A Wisconsin pass to the middle of the box met Peighton Steffen’s foot. She fired a shot through the net.
The Badgers deepened the deficit throughout the first half, taking advantage of the Terps’ slow movements. Wisconsin’s second score came off a corner, adding to one of the best marks in the Big Ten. The Badgers tallied six corners on Sunday.
Wisconsin’s extensive offensive opportunities led to a nine-shot avantage at halftime. Maryland faced a 2-0 deficit after the first half.
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The Terps started the second half with better composure, moving with the Badgers and holding a stronger structure on the backline. Wisconsin didn’t find as many offensive opportunities — it didn’t register a shot over the first 18 minutes of the period.
The Badgers’ offense eventually struck again.
Maryland’s three backline defenders struggled to recover and defend as Maia Richters ran up the left side in the 64th minute, finding an opening on a through ball pass. Richters fired a shot to the bottom right of the net to extend the lead to 3-0.
Aggressive play close to their box continued to hurt the Terps’ defense. A foul by Halle Johnson granted Wisconsin a penalty kick, which led to a score as Ashley Martinez knocked a look into the back of the net. Jenna Baumann added another goal for the Badgers in the final minute.
Maryland’s offense tallied only three shots throughout while its defense allowed multiple goals in each half. The result was an easy win for Wisconsin. The Terps will close out a disappointing campaign against Rutgers next Sunday.
