Maryland women’s soccer crushed in 4-0 loss to Minnesota

Through the first 30 minutes of the second half, Maryland women’s soccer held Minnesota to just three second-half shots.

Unfortunately for the Terps, all three ended up in the back of the net.

Minnesota’s offense ran to perfection all night, and Maryland’s lack of attacking firepower was no match. The Terps fell to the Golden Gophers, 4-0, for their largest margin of defeat this season.

Minnesota’s first chance came in the ninth minute from an Ava Paolini foul that led to a dangerous free kick. Faith Luckey saved a shot from Ava Westlund, and on the ensuing corner kick, Westlund’s header ricocheted just off the post. After some pandemonium in the box, Luckey once again punched the ball out of danger.

Just moments later, Luckey came through again for the Terps, denying Matigann Vixayvong after the midfielder made an incisive run. Seconds later, a shot from Ellen Neuharth required a diving stop from Luckey, who made another excellent save.

That would be the high point defensively of the night for Maryland.

In the 24th minute, Taylor Heimerl took the ball down the left side and fired a dangerous cross. Tenley Senden could not receive the ball as she fell in the box, got up and set up Vixayvong in open space.

On what was already the Golden Gophers’ eighth shot in the game, Vixayvong refused to be denied again and slotted the ball past Luckey.

Minnesota’s offense was relentless throughout the first half of play. The Golden Gophers fired 15 shots, tied for the most Maryland has allowed in a half all year.

Ava Westlund had five of those, coming mere inches from scoring an early goal, but Vixayvong’s goal would be the only score of the first half.

After a dominant offensive first half, the Gophers’ attack got even better in the second.

Minutes after Westlund stepped back on the field for the second half, she would get a breakthrough of her own.

After she received the ball just outside the box, Westlund fired a shot towards the top of the goal, and Luckey could not get a hand to it, doubling the Golden Gophers’ lead.

In the 55th minute, Caroline Birdsell slotted a picture-perfect pass right to Westlund’s foot, who had just Luckey to beat. A poke past the goalkeeper was all Westlund needed to find the back of the net for the second time.

Just four minutes later, another beautiful pass into the box from Birdsell set up Katelyn Brigg, who took advantage to continue the onslaught.

Minnesota finished with 23 shots in the game and completely dominated on offense from start to finish.

For Maryland’s offense, it was a different story.

The Terps had three shots in the first half, but there were signs of offensive potential. Both of Maryland’s two shots on goal required great plays from Martin. However, the volume was not there to put real pressure on the Golden Gophers’ defense.

The Terps’ best chance after Minnesota’s first goal came when Maryland attacked right back down the field with some offense of its own. Despite a great run, Peyton Bernard’s shot would come up empty after a great save from Sarah Martin.

Ultimately, the lack of volume hindered any comeback efforts.

Maryland attempted zero shots until late in the second half, and opportunities were few and far between. The Terps held barely any possession in attacking possession, mostly being on their heels from a relentless assault from the Golden Gophers.

A late push accounted for all six of Maryland’s second-half shots, but the game was well out of reach by the time the Terps started finding chances on attack.

As Minnesota scored goal after goal, the Terps could not find any way to answer.

1. The Golden Gophers dug holes. In nature, gophers are small burrowing animals. In soccer, the Golden Gophers found plenty of holes in the Terps defense that allowed Minnesota’s attackers plenty of space to operate. Minnesota’s attackers took advantage, scoring their most goals in a game in Big Ten play this season.

2. Dani Gichner will be missed. In the second minute of the game, Gichner went down with an injury and had to be helped off the field. Obviously, the defense did not hold up without her. If Gichner misses time, the Terps may struggle mightily in her absence.

3. Paige Foye might be Maryland’s most important player. Foye was absent against Minnesota, serving the one-game suspension that comes with getting shown a red. The Terps collapsed without Foye against UCLA, and with her absent for a full game, the defense had its worst performance of the season. She may be a freshman, but the difference when Foye is on the field compared to when she is not is stark.

The Golden Gophers dug holes. In nature, gophers are small burrowing animals. In soccer, the Golden Gophers found plenty of holes in the Terps defense that allowed Minnesota’s attackers plenty of space to operate. Minnesota’s attackers took advantage, scoring their most goals in a game in Big Ten play this season.

Dani Gichner will be missed. In the second minute of the game, Gichner went down with an injury and had to be helped off the field. Obviously, the defense did not hold up without her. If Gichner misses time, the Terps may struggle mightily in her absence.

Paige Foye might be Maryland’s most important player. Foye was absent against Minnesota, serving the one-game suspension that comes with getting shown a red. The Terps collapsed without Foye against UCLA, and with her absent for a full game, the defense had its worst performance of the season. She may be a freshman, but the difference when Foye is on the field compared to when she is not is stark.