COLLEGE PARK, Md. – Quality chances were hard to come by and as a result the University of Maryland women's soccer team played to a 0-0 tie with Indiana Sunday afternoon at Ludwig Field.
The result gives the Terrapins a 5-4-3 record on the season and a 3-2-2 mark in the Big Ten. Indiana is now 5-8-1 overall and 1-6-1 in conference play.
“On the positive side we earned a shutout,” said Maryland head coach Jonathan Morgan. “We defended well. I think for the majority of the game we did a good job handling their counter-attacks, so I'm happy in that regard. You always want to get a shutout, but I'm really disappointed we couldn't create a better attack today.”
Maryland generated just two shots on goal, but both of those were very dangerous situations.
The first came in the 60th minute when a nice combination from junior Sarah Fichtner to senior Shade Pratt culminated with the ball being plays back across the top of the 18 for junior Riley Barger, who got off a quality strike, but Indiana keeper Sarah Stone was well positioned to make the save.
The best chance of the day for either team came in the 104th minute. Pratt stole the ball from a Hoosier defender in the midfield and played a simple give-and-go with junior Alex Doody to get behind the Indiana backline. Pratt used her excellent speed to separate from the defenders, but Stone came way off of her line, forcing Pratt to rush and got just enough of Pratt's shot to redirect the shot wide of the goal.
Late in the first half saw the Terps earn their first good chance of the match when sophomore Hope Gouterman played a cross from the left side into the Indiana box. The cross was knocked out by a Hoosier defender, but it went right to junior Erika Joab, who got off a good effort from 24 yards out, but the ball sailed just wide of the left post.
Senior Cory Ryan made a nice individual effort in the 81st minute, tip-toeing the end line to get inside the six, but her angle was too severe to get a good look at the goal and her attempt went into the side netting.
Maryland looked to have a golden chance as the first overtime period came to an end when junior Aubrey Baker sent a good cross over Stone toward the back post. Pratt made a strong run for the ball, but couldn't get there in time to connect.
Indiana had four shots on goal in the game, but none were all that dangerous and Maryland junior keeper Rachelle Beanlands easily made the four saves to earn her 13th career shutout, which ties her with Mary Casey (2006-09) for fifth on the all-time list.
Maryland will have six days between matches as the Terps do not play again until Saturday, Oct. 11 at Ohio State in a 7 p.m. start.
“We will take a couple of days off and we will hopefully put this behind us,” said Morgan. “Then we will come out this week and train for an Ohio State team that we have to play on the road. Hopefully, we can learn from our mistakes today and get better. We will go after Ohio State the best we can.”
