No. 5 Maryland didn’t have a game go to penalty strokes all season. It happened on back-to-back days in the Terps’ Big Ten tournament run.
Friday’s outcome against No. 9 Michigan was different from the Terps’ 1-0 win penalty shootout win over Iowa on Thursday. They failed to convert on a penalty stroke and fell, 4-3, to the Wolverines in the Big Ten tournament semifinals.
“We’ll take these type of losses together as we have,” coach Missy Meharg said. “It’s a dagger right now … so we’ll just need some time.”
Michigan only scored on two of its four penalty stroke attempts, but the Terps couldn’t put any of their looks past Wolverine shot stopper Hala Silverstein. The scoreless string came after Maryland had converted on three of its five penalty stroke looks against Iowa.
The Terps held a 3-1 lead late in the third quarter. That advantage dissipated thanks to two penalty corner scores from Michigan inside the final 16 minutes.
Graduate student Lora Clarke scored for Michigan with under a minute remaining in the third period. Clarke’s goal pulled the Wolverines within one and set up a dramatic fourth quarter.
The Wolverines pulled Silverstein from her cage with over four minutes remaining. The numerical advantage nearly paid off, as Michigan seemed to score from a penalty corner in the 57th minute. Referees ruled the Wolverine null, though, following a lengthy review.
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Maryland’s gut-wrenching defeat was just four seconds away from being a tenacious victory. Forward Juliette Manzur miraculously equalized the score at three by lofting a penalty corner shot over Maryland goalkeeper Alyssa Klebasko.
“I was pretty numb,” coach Missy Meharg said. “I just said, ‘Let’s just pretend we walked out here and the game is seven a side and that’s it. We have no history, and we’ve just got to put a line through it and play.’ And they dominated us in the overtimes.”
Friday’s overtime period came after both teams played past regulation in their respective quarterfinals. Maryland played two full overtime periods against Iowa; the Wolverines won their prior matchup right before the first overtime period expired.
Michigan’s offense controlled much of the play in both overtimes. The Terps grabbed better looks in the second 10-minute period — to the tune of three shots — but couldn’t put any of their looks on target.
The Wolverines finished with 19 shots behind their forceful offensive showing in the second half and overtime.
Backup goalkeeper Paige Kieft returned to the cage for Maryland once the shootout began. The senior denied attempts from Abby Tamer and Emmy Tran, but Clarke and Kate McLaughlin both scored decisively.
Maryland’s first three takers on Friday — Hope Rose, Maci Bradford and Annemijn Klijnhout — had all scored in the shootout against Iowa. Silverstein made a trio of saves to deny each one, before Rayne Wright pushed an attempt wide of the cage, capping Michigan’s comeback win.
The Terps got ahead early against Michigan after failing to score from 80 minutes of play against the Hawkeyes.
Midfielder Kylee Niswonger levied a long ball toward goal from the left flank. Rose faintly deflected Niswonger’s attempt off of Michigan goalkeeper Hala Silverstein. The rebound spilled to forward Maci Bradford.
The sophomore took control of the loose ball, before rolling a close-range shot past a scrambling Silverstein. It was Maryland’s first non-penalty shootout goal of the Big Ten tournament.
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When Maryland and Michigan met in the regular season, the Terps grabbed a first-half goal, then slowed the pace to play a more defensive brand. They didn’t employ that tactic on Friday.
Maryland fired another three shots over the next eight minutes. Silverstein saved all three of those attempts to keep the contest close. The Wolverines soon rewarded their goalkeeper for her efforts.
Defender Abby Burnett set a penalty corner entry pass for herself. She quickly played the ball to redshirt senior Pilar Oliveros, who resided on the right side of the shooting circle.
She waxed a perfect shot over an extended stick from Maryland defender Ericka Morris-Adams. Oliveros’ attempt breezed through Klebasko’s legs and into the back on the net to even the score at one.
Maryland retook the lead less than a minute later. It did so in rather similar fashion.
Defender Josie Hollamon took control of a penalty corner entry pass, dribbling to her right. She switched the play to the other side of the penalty circle for Freshman Ella Gaitan, who scored to establish a 2-1 Maryland lead at halftime.
Rose provided insurance on that advantage late in the third quarter.
Rose executed an incredibly clean one-two passing move with Klijnhout. The freshman’s pass set Rose up with an open look along the left side of the shooting circle. Rose flashed a shot past Silverstein while falling down, pushing the score to 3-1.
Michigan’s remarkable comeback followed.
Maryland now awaits its selection for the NCAA tournament following the brutal semifinal defeat.
